HomeMy WebLinkAbout19. 21-71FEBRUARY 9, 2021 21-71 RESOLUTION
(CARRIED_______LOST_______LAID OVER_______WITHDRAWN_______)
PURPOSE: RENEWAL OF BIRD CITY WISCONSIN DESIGNATION;
DESIGNATE MAY 1, 2021 AS INTERNATIONAL MIGRATORY
BIRD DAY
INITIATED BY: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
SUSTAINABILITY ADVISORY BOARD RECOMMENDATION: Approved
WHEREAS, migratory birds are some of the most beautiful and easily observed
wildlife that share our communities, and
WHEREAS, these migrant species also play an important economic role in our
community, controlling insect pests and generating millions in recreational dollars
statewide, and
WHEREAS, migratory birds and their habitats are declining throughout America,
facing a growing number of threats on their migration routes and in both their summer
and winter homes, and
WHEREAS, public awareness and concern are crucial components of migratory
bird conservation, and
WHEREAS, citizens enthusiastic about birds, informed about the threats they face,
and empowered to help address those threats can directly contribute to maintaining
healthy bird populations, and
WHEREAS, since 1993 International Migratory Bird Day (IMBD) has become a
primary vehicle for focusing public attention on the nearly 350 species that travel between
nesting habitats in our communities and throughout North America and their wintering
grounds in South and Central America, Mexico, the Caribbean, and the southern U.S.,
and
FEBRUARY 9, 2021 21-71 RESOLUTION
CONT’D
WHEREAS, hundreds of thousands of people will observe IMBD, gathering in
town squares, community centers, schools, parks, nature centers, and wildlife refuges to
learn about birds, take action to conserve them, and simply to have fun, and
WHEREAS, while IMBD officially is held each year on the second Saturday in
May, its observance is not limited to a single day, and planners are encouraged to
schedule activities on the dates best suited to the presence of both migrants and
celebrants, and
WHEREAS, the City was granted membership to ‘Bird City Wisconsin’ in 2011,
and desires to apply to renew its application membership for 2021.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Common Council of the City of
Oshkosh that the proper City officials are hereby authorized and directed to submit an
application to renew its ‘Bird City Wisconsin’ designation and to execute any and all
documents necessary for purposes of same.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that should the City’s application to renew its Bird
City Wisconsin designation be approved, the City hereby designates May 1, 2021 as
International Migratory Bird Day.
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the Common Council
FROM: Brandon Nielsen, Assistant Planner
DATE: February 4, 2021
RE: Renewal of Bird City Wisconsin Designation; Designate May 1, 2021 as
International Migratory Bird Day
BACKGROUND
The City of Oshkosh received its first Bird City Wisconsin designation in 2010. A recertification
application is required on an annual basis. In 2011, Oshkosh was awarded the Sustained Flight
designation and in 2012 Oshkosh was elevated to High Flyer status. Oshkosh is seeking to
renew its High Flyer status in 2021.
Bird City Wisconsin encourages communities to implement sound bird conservation practices
by offering high visibility public recognition to those that succeed in doing so. Benefits of such
a designation are in line with the community’s desire to create a sustainable future for the city
of Oshkosh.
ANALYSIS
A Bird City Wisconsin designation provides the following benefits to the community:
Makes a strong contribution to community pride and presents the kind of image that
most citizens want to have for the place they live or conduct business.
Promotes and grows our community’s environmental reputation through a program
that provides guidance, resources, and recognition.
Sustains healthy, functioning natural systems in our community.
Improves the local environment. New wildlife habitat areas can offer aesthetic,
social, economic, and environmental benefits.
In order to renew the certification, a community must continue to demonstrate the criteria met
in the original application, including recognizing International Migratory Bird Day annually.
Oshkosh continues to meet those original criteria.
In addition to meeting Bird City Wisconsin’s basic requirements, in 2012, Oshkosh continued
to strengthen its commitment to urban bird conservation by meeting the High Flyer
requirements. For the past three years Oshkosh has continued to meet Bird City Wisconsin-
High Flyer criteria.
City Hall • 215 Church Avenue • P.O. Box 1130 • Oshkosh, WI 54903-1130
http://www.ci.oshkosh.wi.us
FISCAL IMPACT
The renewal costs associated with the 2021 Bird City Wisconsin Designation will be funded
with available funds within the 2021 Planning Services Division budget. The International
Migratory Bird Day Event, Bird Fest, is funded entirely by private contributions and should
have no fiscal impact on the City’s budget.
RECOMMENDATION
Planning Services requests Council’s support of this renewal application for continued Bird
City Wisconsin designation and to designate May 1, 2021 International Migratory Bird Day.
Respectfully Submitted, Approved,
Brandon Nielsen Mark Rohloff
Assistant Planner City Manager