Whitewater - The Bird City

Whitewater's environmental health brings critters of all types to our backyards. With the help of the Urban Forestry Commission, we became a Tree City in 1994. Our green city provides the perfect conditions for birds to thrive.

Did You Know:

The City of Whitewater became a Bird City of Wisconsin in 2014. The Bird Protection Fund and the Milwaukee Audubon Society joined forces to help determine what is required to become a Bird City.

A Bird City's government and citizens work together to promote environmentally supportive areas for birds. They also teach others ways to protect them. Bird City Wisconsin provides Bird Cities highly-visible public recognition as well as guidance for future planning. To become a Bird City, it takes time, meeting the application criteria, and a lot of community work and involvement.

Four Major Tasks for Bird Cities:

• Demonstrate community involvement towards the well-being of birds and their habitats

• Celebrate bird migrations

• Work continuously toward bettering the lives of birds within your city

• Promote knowledge of birding

Birding provides an intimate connection between people and nature. This is important due to the decline in many Wisconsin bird populations. Whitewater works hard to ensure we are a welcoming and safe home for countless species. And that we provide spaces for people to observe what birds come in and out of Whitewater.

“There is an unreasonable joy to be had from the observation of small birds going about their bright, oblivious business.”

-  Grant Hutchison

First Bird City Event

Whitewater’s biggest Bird City event happened during the Main Street Festival on August 2, 2014. During this time, many local organizations collaborated to educate people about bird habitats and preservation. These organizations included The Whitewater Arts Alliance, Studio 84, Downtown Whitewater, Wisconsin Makers, and the Whitewater Chamber of Commerce. Festival goers built Blue Bird Boxes and roosting platforms to promote nesting sites and safe resting areas around Whitewater.

Resources

Seed Exchange Program- The Irvin L. Young Memorial Library houses a seed exchange for anyone who would like to plant native plants in their yards. These plants supply birds with plenty of food during the colder months. They also attract a variety birds.

Chimney Swift Tower-A Chimney Swift Tower stands behind the Community Building at Cravath Lakefront Park. This provides a safe place to nest and keep babies away from the dangers of predators!

Happy birding! Let's keep our bird friends safe and healthy!