Fox Point May Join Flock of Bird Cities

While Fox Point, with its many trees, birds and critters, has already taken root as a Tree City USA, the village might soon join a flock of Bird Cities as well.

"There is support for Bird City," Trustee Beverly Bell said. "I believe that we have the unique habitat for it and residential interest. It supports our comprehensive plan."

Bird City of Wisconsin is an environmental organization dedicated to recognizing cities and villages that implement bird conservation practices, such as supporting keeping cats indoors, bird habitat restoration and an ordinance recognizing International Migratory Bird Day.

“Both Tree City and Bird City operate on the premise that the organization is encouraging communities to do good things for conservation," said Carl Schwartz, Bird City program coordinator. "That’s the quid pro quo of the whole thing. You do good things, and you get to enhance your image."

However, Schwartz said it's not just about the recognition, it's about health and the environment.

“We think this is a good thing for communities to do first of all, for the birds, second of all, for the people that live here. Communities that are healthier for birds are healthier for people," Schwartz said.

To become a Bird City there is a $100 application fee, and an additional $100 annual fee. Then the village or city has to meet seven criteria from a list of 20. Schwartz said that at a minimum, Fox Point already meets three of the seven criteria, one of which includes  already being a member of the Tree City USA program. Schwartz said that makes it a natural step for the village to become a Bird City as well. However, the path to becoming a Bird City has become riddled with a few droppings.

"The only problem that we have is the staff time to fill out the application," Bell said. "I feel since I’ve talked with Carl (Schwartz) and other people, we can surmount that and it will be something that we will apply for."

Fox Point Village Manager Susan Robertson was unavailable for comment on Friday; however Bell said she plans to speak with Robertson as soon as she returns to the office.

There are 29 Bird Cities, including Bayside, Brookfield, the Town of Grafton, Mequon and West Bend. Schwartz has an additional four cities with pending applications, and another list of 25 cities that have applications under way.

"I certainly feel we will go forward with this," Bell said.