City Council Meeting Date: February 7, 2017
To: Mayor and City Council
City Administrator
From: Tim Behrendt, Streets and Parks Manager
Title
Consider Resolution for a Bird Friendly Community Designation.
Body
Action Requested:
The Northfield City Council is asked to consider the Resolution to designate the City of Northfield as a Bird City and to proclaim May 13, 2017 as Bird Day in Northfield.
Summary Report:
Avery Hildebrand with Conservation Minnesota spoke to the Environmental Quality Commission at the August meeting on Northfield becoming a Bird City. Bird City Minnesota is a designation from Audubon Minnesota. This designation gives communities recognition for restoring, protecting and improving bird habitat and engaging people in learning about, enjoying and helping birds thrive. Northfield would be the third city in Minnesota to become a Bird City if approved. Hastings and St. Paul are already accredited cities.
The Environmental Quality Commission unanimously approved the motion for a resolution to designate Northfield as a Bird City. Designating May 13th as Bird Day would coincide with Carleton Bird Count Day and it is also International Migratory Bird Day.
By becoming a Bird City the City of Northfield will promote the following annual requirements:
1. Educate and engage citizens in birding and conservation.
i. Community Education will be providing a class for birding.
ii. Materials and links with information will be provided on the City Website.
2. Protect, restore and enhance bird habitat.
i. The City parks and open space have habit that is supportive of wildlife, including birds. The buffers around ponds and wild grasses and trees habitat within City parks provide an ecosystem to promote wildlife, and the City continues to look for opportunities to provide more native habitat.
3. Reduce threats to birds.
i. The City will look for opportunities to install more downward aiming street lighting.
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