Tweet, tweet: Kawartha Lakes achieves 'Bird Friendly City' designation
Kawartha Lakes has something to chirp about.
Nature Canada recently certified the City of Kawartha Lakes as a "Bird Friendly City."
A bird-friendly city is described as a community where threats to birds are reduced, and nature is restored so native bird populations can thrive. Residents are actively engaged in admiring and monitoring local bird populations, and organizations host events to protect birds. Certification entails meeting standards to keep birds safe.
Kawartha Lakes has announced it has been awarded Bird Friendly City certification as of March 22, 2024.
"We are thrilled that Nature Canada has awarded us entry level Bird Friendly City certification," said Kawartha Lakes Councillor Pat Warren in a media release.
“It is a recognition of the commitment to a healthy environment expressed in our strategic plan and the bird conservation efforts of many organizations within our municipality. Along with our Bird Friendly City neighbours — City of Peterborough and Selwyn Township — we look forward to continuing this important work.”
The Bird Friendly Kawartha Lakes (BFKL) group submitted an application on behalf of the municipality in February 2024. The BFKL consists of representatives from the Kawartha Lakes Environmental Advisory Committee, Kawartha Conservation, Kawartha Land Trust, Fleming College, Kawartha Field Naturalists, Kawartha Wildlife Centre, and Kawartha Bird Control.
Thomas Luloff, who represents the BFKL team, is the academic quality assurance lead and a professor in the school of environmental and natural resources sciences at Fleming College's Frost campus in Lindsay, and he also serves as board chair of the Kawartha Wildlife Centre.
Luloff recently shared why receiving a bird-friendly city designation is important.
"Becoming a certified bird-friendly city is not just a title; it's a significant milestone for our community," Luloff told kawarthaNOW. "It underscores our commitment to environmental stewardship and highlights our dedication to preserving the natural beauty and biodiversity that makes Kawartha Lakes so unique."
"By creating bird-friendly habitats, reducing light pollution, and advocating for responsible pet ownership, we are not only protecting our feathered residents but also enhancing the overall quality of life for all inhabitants of our city," Luloff continued.
"Birds play a vital role in our ecosystem, from controlling insect populations to pollinating plants, and by safeguarding their habitats, we are ensuring the health and balance of our environment."
Speaking of birds, Kawartha Lakes is currently running a contest that invites residents to vote for one of 11 birds to be named "Bird Friendly Kawartha Lakes 2024 Bird of the Year."
The online contest aims to showcase the diversity of local bird species and inspire action to protect and conserve birds at the same time.
There will be two rounds of voting, with the first round closing on Migratory Bird Day, which is Saturday, May 11. The top five birds will move on to the second round of voting, which will close on Friday, June 28.
These are the 11 birds on the docket: the northern cardinal, the black-capped chickadee, the American goldfinch, the barred owl, the red-winged blackbird, the tree swallow, the eastern loggerhead shrike, the osprey, the downy woodpecker, the blue jay, and the barn swallow.
As of the date of this story, 362 votes have been cast, with the osprey in the lead closely pursued by the northern cardinal and the barred owl.
During the second round of voting, the Bird Friendly Kawartha Lakes social media accounts will feature fun facts about each of the five birds and why they're important to the community.
The official Kawartha Lakes' Bird of the Year, as voted by participants, will be revealed on June 30.
To find out more about the competition and to vote, visit the Jump In Kawartha Lakes website at jumpinkawarthalakes.ca/bird2024. You need to register for a free account to cast a vote.
Natalie Hamilton, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, KawarthaNOW
