Criteria

SUPPORT

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The Bird Friendly Communities Certification Program is designed to be an interactive program. Bird Friendly Communities staff are happy to work with communities to help them get started and to support communities once programs are in place. This support can include:

• Online introductory meeting to provide program overview and answer questions

• Start-up in person workshops to work with local communities to develop program

• Support with application process

• Ongoing support including providing resources, expertise, presentations, and speakers to support program once it is in place.

 

CRITERIA

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1. Form a Bird Friendly Community Coalition: Each designated community should have a coalition of groups working to advance bird friendly programs in the community. The size of the coalition can vary but should include at least three groups.

 

2. Designate a Lead Organization: Each designated community should have a lead organization that takes responsibility for convening partners and annual reporting.

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3. City Council Resolution: Each designated community should see a resolution from the local municipality (e.g. City Council) in support of becoming a Bird Friendly Community. The resolution can be adopted at the time of designation but a commitment to adopt a resolution should be in place at the time of application.

 

4. Bird Friendly Community Programs: In order to become certified as a Bird Friendly Community, applicants should meet program goals in each of the program areas. 

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Habitat Protection

• All communities must have a currently approved Division of Land Conservation and Development Statewide Land Use Planning Goal 5 Fish and Wildlife Habitat Plan in place

• Your community must have two of the following programs in place:

  • Tree Code w/ Tree Canopy Targets

  • Wetland Mitigation Banking Program

  • Backyard Habitat Certification Program

  • Habitat Connectivity (wildlife corridor) Strategy

  • Green Roof Requirements

  • Seasonal  Guidelines for Bird Friendly Vegetation Maintenance

  • Invasive Species Control Program

  • Adding nature/ habitat areas to urban parks

  • Species Specific Management Programs for Imperiled Species

  • Current Habitat Restoration Projects specifically benefiting birds

 

Threat Reduction

• For initial certification, your community should have at least one of the following programs in place:

  • Cats Indoors/ Cat Safe at Home Program

  • Bird Friendly Building (collision reduction program)

  • Light Pollution Reduction Program

  • Pesticide Use Reduction Program 

  • Municipal Integrated Pest Management Program

  • Provide financial support to local Wildlife Rehabilitation Program

 

Public Engagement/Educational Programs​

• For initial certification, your community must have have at least one of the following planned for the coming year: 

  • Bird Event/ Bird Festival/ Bird Celebration (e.g. World Migratory Bird Day, Swift watch)

  • Urban Bird Walk Series/ Outings 

  • Urban Bird related Presentation Series (e.g identifying local birds, planting for birds, bird friendly practices, safe bird feeding etc.)

  • Provide bird-related educational programs for children 

  • Provide youth projects (for example, Scout’s birdbox project)

  • Local webcams focused on local urban birds to engage public (for example an active osprey cam)

  • Public art projects focused on birds through installments, awards, events, competition

  • Creating Birding Kits at Public Library

 

Research/Monitoring

• In order to become certified, a community must have one of the following avian research programs in place for the coming year:

  • Local bird monitoring/surveys (or data obtained from researchers or volunteers) in the local park system and other community locations.

  • Participate  in Christmas Bird Count

  • Other urban-based research strategies

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Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

• In order to become certified, at least one of the programs listed above must include a specific strategy to engage historically marginalized communities (e.g. African American/Black, Latinx/Hispanic, Native American, Asian American, Immigrant, Refugee, Homeless, LGBTQ, People with Disabilities, Veterans)

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5. Upon receiving Oregon Bird-friendly Community designation, applicants agree to the following:

• Designated communities will display an Oregon Bird-Friendly Community Sign(s) in a prominent public location. 

• Local Partners will work with Bird Friendly Communities Program to announce and publicize the Bird Friendly Certification.

• Designated communities will maintain a Bird-friendly online presence that links to the Oregon Bird Friendly Communities webpage (could be a stand alone website or located on a partner or municipal webpage

 

6. Renewal: The goal of this program is to advance bird conservation in local communities over time. The program requires submission of a brief annual report and annual plan to remain certified. This includes:

• Online submission of an annual report  regarding prior years activities.

• Online submission of a plan to add at least one new element in any of the program categories listed above.