Bird Town Pennsylvania

birdtown

Newtown Township, PA;

Bird Town Pennsylvania, a statewide program administered by the Pennsylvania Audubon Council, has awarded Newtown Township Gold status based on the activity of its program.

Each year, Bird Towns submit an annual report which is evaluated based on suggested actions to engage officials, students and residents of the community and to improve habitat. Those actions include municipal, school, community engagement, habitat enhancement, collaboration, and advocacy.

As a result of Bird Town Newtown Township actions, which also include municipality sustainability practices under Sustainable PA it received a Gold status. “It’s not a competition between Bird Towns, rather a framework that provides a path of inspiration for doing more,” said Heidi Shiver, President of Bird Town Pennsylvania. There are currently 39 Bird Towns in Pennsylvania most of

which work with conservation partners such as Audubon chapters and land trusts. Color rankings in ascending order are; green, bronze, silver, gold.

Bird Towns such as Newtown Township create programming for people to learn about and experience the wonders of birds and nature, often in their very own backyard. Native plants and habitat enhancement play a role in this experience and contribute to an improved ecological “footprint” that yields more birds and butterflies and healthier places for people and pets.

To learn more about Bird Town PA or to get involved, please visit the website www.birdtownpa.org


2023 Bird Town

Newtown Township and the EAC are pleased to continue our dedication to the Bird Town PA program and advance our efforts to preserve our native wildlife and celebrate its biodiversity. Thanks to the EAC, who has taken the lead to place an emphasis on this program, the Board of Supervisors passed Resolution 2022-10 in February of 2022. The resolution keeps the Township on this path of preservation, alongside the PA Audubon Council. 

PA Audubon Council Summary:

Within the national conservation network, the Bird Town Program has served as a beacon for new, emerging programs that desire to engage communities at the municipal level. To date, there are at least ten analogous programs across the country based on the success of Bird Town. 

The strength of the program is based in its grassroots approach, innovative programming, and ability to bring people together and create a sense of place through the lives of birds and improved landscapes. The measure of success is the number of people impacted through outreach efforts within a community. Whether it’s a native plant sale, holiday parade float, or simple table presence at a community day, Bird Town has proven to be a substantial outreach tool for engagement, volunteerism, and a cohesive community ethos. 

Below are links to various informational documents pertaining to the goals and mission of the Bird Town PA program. Check them out to learn more!

Resolution 2022-10 Initiatives to be Recognized as a PA Bird Town

Goals and Strategies

Background Information