Back to SearchUxbridge, Ontario - November 18, 2024 -- Nature Canada has made it official: Uxbridge Township is now one of the country’s “Bird Friendly” cities.
Canada’s oldest national nature conservation society announced the Township’s
certification today, recognizing the efforts made by the Bird Team, Municipal Staff and Council and the local community to preserve and protect Uxbridge’s bird population. The news was greeted warmly by Mayor Dave Barton, who declared himself “thrilled.”
“This recognition highlights our commitment to preserving bird species and their habitats,” he said, “especially with the creation of the Uxbridge Urban Provincial Park. Becoming a Bird Friendly City not only supports conservation, it also enhances the quality of life for our residents and for visitors, all of whom cherish these connections to nature.” He felt the certification was “a proud moment for the Township and “a testament” to the efforts of the Bird Team, a feeling shared by Councillor Gordon Shreeve.
“I know the Team worked very hard for this,” Shreeve said. “It’s just terrific news.”
Nature Canada’s requirements for “Bird Friendly” status are quite specific. The community must be a place where key threats to birds are effectively mitigated, and where nature is restored so native bird populations can thrive. And residents have to get involved, actively monitoring those populations. Municipal policies must protect avian populations, and a Bird Team has to lead all these initiatives.
“We’re not a bird-watching group,” Bird Team leader Carly Davenport explained. “We focus on birds because they're a good overall indicator of ecosystem health. When we see birds declining at this rate, it’s our warning that urgent conservation action is needed.”
She cited the case of grassland birds. Some of them breed in Uxbridge Township and are listed as threatened in Ontario.
“Our work extends beyond just protecting birds to benefit the environmental health of our community. It makes Uxbridge a more sustainable place to live.”
The Team was formed in January, and introduced itself to residents through appearances at the Uxbridge Farmers’ Market, Claremont Native Plants and the Durham Climate Roundtable Fall Forum. At all these events, it highlighted the role of native plants in the survival of bird populations, and detailed ways to reduce threats like window collisions and cat predation. And during the spring and fall migration periods, it promoted “Lights out Uxbridge” a campaign to eliminate unnecessary exterior lighting that can fatally confuse migrating birds.
Davenport expressed hope that the Township’s new official status will spur people here to live up to the title.
“It was hard-won,” she said, “even at the entry level. And it won’t necessarily be easy to keep. Nature Canada will want Uxbridge to commit to its birds on an ongoing basis, and that’s our goal. Certification feels great, but seeing biodiversity thrive here would feel even better.”
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