Urban Conservation Treaty
for Migratory Birds

A program working with cities and partners to conserve migratory birds through education, hazard reductions, citizen science, conservation actions, and conservation and habitat improvement strategies
in urban/suburban areas.

The cities of Phoenix, AZ; Kennedale, TX, Twin Cities – Minneapolis and St. Paul; Indianapolis, IN; Opelika, AL; Hartford, CT; Ogden, UT; Lewistown, MT; San Francisco, CA; and Washington DC. These cities and their partners will work to increase awareness of the value of migratory birds and their habitats, especially for their intrinsic, ecological, recreational, and economic significance. The wide variety of native birds thriving in urban areas underscores the importance of these urban/suburban habitats to the survival of many bird populations.

URBAN BIRD TREATY CITIES

The Urban Conservation Treaty for Migratory Birds (Urban Bird Treaty) program was created to help municipal governments conserve birds that live and nest in or overwinter or migrate through their cities. Launched in 1999, the first treaty was signed with New Orleans, and the second treaty was signed with Chicago. The treaties are a partnership agreement between a U.S. city and the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) to conserve migratory birds through education, habitat improvement and bird conservation actions.

Each of us makes decisions in our daily lives that have the potential to either help or harm wildlife. In the case of birds, it can be something as simple as keeping pet cats inside, turning off the lights of a high‐rise office building at night, buying shade‐grown coffee, and being sure to choose bird‐friendly native plants for a backyard or schoolyard garden.

Cities can become effective sanctuaries for birds and other wildlife, with an environmentally aware citizenry dedicated to conserving and enhancing natural resources. This is not only good for the birds, but also for the quality of life of people living in and visiting out cities.

Urban Bird Treaty Program Component Goals
The program component goals of the Urban Conservation Treaty for
Migratory Birds are:

• Protect, restore, and enhance urban/suburban habitats for birds
• Reduce hazards to birds
• Educate and engage citizens in monitoring, caring about, and advocating for birds and their conservation
• Foster youth environmental education with a focus on birds
• Manage invasive species to benefit and protect birds
• Increase awareness of the value of migratory birds and their habitats, especially for their intrinsic, ecological, recreational, and economic significance

Urban Bird Treaty Handbook

For more information about funding and grant opportunity go to - http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/urbantreaty.html

Contact Alicia Frances King/ Division of Migratory Bird Management at:
703/358-2522 U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 4401 North Fairfax Drive, Mailstop: MBSP 4107
Arlington, VA 22203

For questions concerning this page, contact Alicia_f_king@fws.gov at U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.