U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Why an Urban Conservation Treaty forMigratory Birds?For the vast majority of people, birdsrepresent their most frequent contactwith wildlife. Birds are a valuableresource, contributing aesthetically,culturally, scientifically, and economicallyto America’s citizens. Urban areas arecritical for migrating birds. Largeconcentrations of birds migrate alongflyways or routes on which many largeurban centers have developed. Importantbird habitat is often found within thesemetropolitan areas. With anenvironmentally aware citizenry dedicatedto conserving and enhancing their naturalresources, cities can be sanctuaries formigratory birds and other wildlife.

What Is an Urban Conservation Treaty forMigratory Birds?An Urban Conservation Treaty forMigratory Birds is a partnershipagreement between a U.S. city and theU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) toconserve migratorybirds througheducation andhabitatimprovement.The Serviceprovideschallengegrants andtechnicalassistance.The Treatycitydevelopsand

Urban Conservation Treaty forMigratory BirdsMaking Cities Better for Birds

implements bird conservation projects,provides matching dollars and in-kindsupport, and develops additionalpartnerships.

What Type of Funding Is Provided?Cities are awarded Service “challenge”grants from $10,000 to $150,000, dependingon the scope of projects proposed by cityand Service project leaders. The Treatycity is “challenged” to raise an amountequal or greater than the amount of fundsawarded by the Service. The match mayconsist of cash or “in-kind” contributionsof goods and services from the Treaty cityor third party donors.

What Are the Main Components?The focus areas of the Urban ConservationTreaty for Migratory Birds are HabitatCreation, Protection, and Restoration;Education and Outreach; Hazard(s)Reduction; and Non-native, Invasive, orNuisance Animal and Plant SpeciesManagement. Each city will work with the

Migratory Bird Management

Mission

To conserve migratory birdpopulations and their habitatsfor future generations, throughcareful monitoring and effectivemanagement.

The Peregrine Falcon is a notable example of a wildlife species able to adaptto the urban environment. credit: Bob Hines

For More Information:U.S. Fish and Wildife ServiceDivision of Migratory Bird Management4401 N. Fairfax Drive, MS: 4107Arlington, VA 22203703 358 1714http://birds.fws.gov

April 2003

Service to develop a customized actionplan that specifies goals and objectives inthe four focus areas. Some cities maychoose to emphasize education programsthrough teaching bird-focused curricula orconstructing schoolyard habitat sites.Others may choose to reach out toindividuals in the workplace or owners oftall buildings by providing incentives fordimming or turning lights off at nightduring peak migration to reduce fatal birdcollisions. In all cities, there will be effortsto raise awareness of the public’s role inconserving declining species by creating,protecting and restoring habitat.

What Is the Selection Process?An Urban Conservation Treaty Team,made up of Service personnel from severalregions within the U.S., is acceptingrecommendations from agency fieldlocations near metropolitan areas, andreviewing formal letters of interest frommunicipalities around the country todetermine appropriate locations for Treatycities.

A guideline booklet to apply for an UrbanConservation Treaty for Migratory Birdsis available on-line at http://birds.fws.gov/urbantreaty.html or from the Division ofMigratory Bird Management at 703 3581714.

Is There a Recognition Program?Yes, at the completion of action planinitiatives, a city will receive a national“Golden Wing Award” to recognize itsongoing commitment to urban migratorybird conservation. There will also beopportunities for the Treaty cities and the

The Urban Conservation TreatyProgram capitalizes on theincreasing public interest inmigratory birds and the nationaltrend toward increasing thelivability of urban areas.

Service to promote their programthroughout the extent of the grant period,and for established Treaty cities to mentornewer fledgling Treaty cities as theydevelop their action plans, and to teamtogether on national awareness campaigns.

Where Are the Treaty Cities andWhy Were They Selected?The Treaty cities are selected based on theintent of their proposal and for theircommitment to provide habitat for wildlife,particularly migratory birds. Othercriteria are a city’s location along a majormigratory flyway, and its proximity toService personnel who are able to providetechnical assistance and guidance inachieving the Treaty activities.

New Orleans, LouisianaMayor Marc H. MorialDate: June 13, 1999Grant Amount: $50,000

Chicago, IllinoisMayor Richard M. DaleyDate: March 25, 2000Grant Amount: $120,000

Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaMayor John F. StreetDate: May 8, 2002Grant Amount: $75,000

Houston, TexasMayor Lee P. BrownDate: April 18, 2003Grant Amount: $120,000

Portland, Oregon will sign a Treaty inMay 2003.

credit: Bob Hines

credit: Bob HinesPeople and birds can co-exist in many settings.

What Else Is Needed for the Program?A permanent source of funding will berequired to meet the growing demand forthis ambitious new program. Wildlifemanagers in the Service and in cities andconservation organizations welcome thefocus on urban conservation and areclamoring to be included.