Program Overview


What is an Urban Conservation Treaty for Migratory Birds?
An Urban Conservation Treaty for Migratory Birds is a partnership agreement between a U.S. city and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) to conserve migratory birds through education and habitat improvement. The Service provides challenge grants and technical assistance. The Treaty city develops and implements bird conservation projects, provides matching dollars and in-kind support, and develops additional partnerships.

Why an Urban Conservation Treaty for Migratory Birds?
For the vast majority of people, birds represent their most frequent contact with wildlife. Birds are a valuable resource, contributing aesthetically, culturally, scientifically, and economically to America's citizens. Birds are integral parts of our landscapes, providing important, sometimes irreplaceable functions. Birds pollinate plants, disperse seeds, are critical links in the food web, and play significant roles in insect pest control.

The level of bird-related recreation is also a strong indicator of the value of birds to society. Nature-based recreation is the fastest growing segment of the tourism industry. Eighteen million adults take trips annually for the express purpose of watching birds*. In fact, birding is growing faster than biking, pleasure walking, skiing and golf among outdoor recreation activities. Each year bird and other wildlife watchers pump astounding amounts of money into local and state economies - $29 billion annually*!

Urban areas are critical for migrating birds. Large concentrations of birds migrate along four major flyways or routes (Atlantic, Pacific, Mississippi, and Central) on which many large urban centers have developed. Important migratory bird habitat is often found within these metropolitan areas. Habitat refers to those areas that birds require for feeding, nesting, roosting, resting, and protection from predators. With an environmentally aware citizenry dedicated to conserving and enhancing their natural resources, cities can be sanctuaries for migratory birds and other wildlife.

*Based on the 1996 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Association Recreation completed by USFWS.



What Type of Funding is Provided?
Cities are awarded Service "challenge" grants from $10,000 to $150,000, depending on the scope of projects proposed by city and Service program coordinators. The Treaty city is "challenged" to raise an amount equal to or greater than the amount of funds awarded by the Service. The matching support raised by the Treaty city must be of non-federal origin. It may consist of cash from third-party donors, "in-kind" contributions of goods and services from the Treaty city or from other institutions or businesses, or a combination of cash or in-kind donations.

What is the Selection Process?
The Treaty cities are selected based on the content of their proposal, and for their commitment to provide habitat for wildlife, in particular migratory birds. Other criteria are a city's location along a major migratory flyway, and the availability of Service personnel to provide technical assistance and guidance in achieving Treaty activities.

An Urban Conservation Treaty Team, made up of experienced wildlife biologists, environmental educators, and grant administrators from the Service and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation will review formal letters of interest and proposals from cities to determine appropriate locations for Treaties.

What are the Criteria?
The Urban Conservation Treaty Team will be looking for the following in each application and proposal:

1. Project Scope: How well the overall proposed conservation treaty program benefits migratory birds, and provides for long-range conservation and monitoring.

2. Community Involvement: How well the overall proposed program, and projects within, involves the community - general public, local businesses, and private landowners.

3. Conservation Programs and Partners: How well proposed projects utilize and involve existing conservation programs and partners - federal, tribal, state, and local governments; corporations and non-profit or nongovernmental groups. See the Application and Reference Materials Section for a list of conservation programs and partners.

What are the Program Components?
The program components of the Urban Conservation Treaty for Migratory Birds are:

  • Education and Outreach
  • Habitat Creation, Protection, and Restoration (Habitat CPR)
  • Hazard(s) Reduction
  • Non-native, Invasive, or Nuisance Animal and Plant Species Management
Expect to find that component areas will overlap or that one or more will be a natural part of another component. Each of these program components are listed separately however, to highlight the activities that can do the most to conserve migratory birds, and to emphasize that success in bird conservation depends on a coordinated approach that considers and addresses multiple issues. The emphasis placed on each area is up to each city. For example, an ideal habitat project will help create, protect and restore habitat by using native plants and shrubs, removing non-native or invasives, or by using non-lethal deterrents to overabundant or nuisance animal and plant species. It will also have an education or outreach aspect to teach city residents the benefits of native plant and animal species. An education and outreach project may work to promote the reduction of hazards or habitat conservation by encouraging office workers to turn out their lights at night, or landowners to provide the proper food, water and shelter for birds in their backyards, or advising city land managers on the use of native plants. It may also involve teaching bird-focused curricula or constructing schoolyard habitat sites.





Is there a Deadline for Submissions?
Applications must be postmarked by October 15 of the current calendar year. The Urban Conservation Treaty for Migratory Birds selection committee will review all applications and notify the applicant by January 15 of their decision. See Apppplication and Reference Materials for the application form.

What Happens After a City is Chosen for the Program?
 Each city will work with Service personnel to develop a customized program with an action plan. The action plan will expand on the conceptual information provided in the initial application. It must include detailed strategies to accomplish the goals and objectives and outline the budget, source of matching funds, and timeline for completion. It also describes how the Treaty activities and bird conservation messages will be maintained long-term. The action plan is submitted to and approved by the Urban Conservation Treaty Team before grant money is released to the city. This is to make certain the activities proposed by the Treaty city fit well within the component areas and are appropriate for the dollar amount awarded. Once the action plan is approved, ideally the city and Service personnel will use the funds to complete the projects within a two- to- three-years time period.

Are There Opportunities for Public and Media Recognition?
Yes. Throughout the grant period, local and national Service public affairs representatives will work with their counterparts in the city to promote treaty activities to the media and the general public. Treaty cities are encouraged to take advantage of existing nationally recognized events, such as International Migratory Bird Day to draw public and media attention. Upon completion of the action plan initiatives, the Treaty city will receive a "Golden Wing Award" to recognize its ongoing commitment to urban migratory bird conservation. This award was developed by the Service to further promote and acknowledge the cities that have completed the program. Treaty cities will also be encouraged to mentor newer fledgling Treaty cities, and to team together on national awareness campaigns.