Subject
title
Adoption of a Resolution to Support the Bird City Maryland Initiative and World Migratory Bird Day
end
Department
PW - Environmental Management
Recommendation
Staff recommends the Mayor and Council adopt the resolution to support the Bird City Maryland Initiative and World Migratory Bird Day (Attachment 1).
Discussion
Background/Discussion
The resolution supports the Bird City Maryland initiative and World Migratory Bird Day.
• Bird City Maryland is a nationwide initiative that recognizes communities for implementing bird conservation practices, protecting habitat, educating residents, and promoting sustainability. The program is administered by the Maryland Bird Conservation Partnership and is part of the Bird City Network, a collaboration between the American Bird Conservancy and Environment for the Americas with major support from US Fish & Wildlife Service.
• World Migratory Bird Day focuses public attention on nearly 350 species of migratory birds and their habitats throughout the Americas, while inspiring communities across the Bird City Network to celebrate, learn about, and take action to conserve them.
Participation in the program is voluntary and demonstrates the city’s commitment to environmental stewardship, biodiversity, and sustainable community development. Other Maryland communities that have received Bird City Maryland recognition include Annapolis, Frederick City, Frederick County, Brunswick and Middletown.
Rockville’s existing environmental and sustainability efforts, including community environmental education, native plant promotion, wildlife habitat initiatives, tree preservation efforts, and sustainability programs strongly align with the program’s goals of creating healthier communities for both birds and residents. Rockville’s Environment Commission reviewed the program and supported the city’s participation as it aligns with other programs, such as Sustainable Maryland Certified, certified Community Wildlife Habitat, Tree City USA, and National Gold Medal Award for recreation and parks services.
Program Requirements
To achieve Bird City Maryland recognition, communities must:
1. Adopt a Bird City Resolution: Required initially and every 4 years thereafter.
2. Host a World Migratory Bird Day event: The Croydon Creek Nature Center has themed their fall family bird hike on Saturday, October 3, 2026, around World Migratory Bird Day. The fall family bird hike features a guided family bird walk designed to engage participants of all ages in bird watching and bird conservation education.
3. Submit an application with a minimum of ten qualifying actions from four categories (habitat, threats to birds, education and engagement, and sustainability). The Environment Commission, Environmental Management and the Croydon Creek Nature Center conducted a preliminary review of the actions and identified existing programs and initiatives that support approximately 36 actions. Highlights of completed or ongoing actions from each category are outlined below.
|
Category |
Highlights of Rockville’s Existing Actions |
|
Habitat |
• Planted more than 2,500 native trees and shrubs at RedGate Park. • Tree City USA community for 37 consecutive years. • 300+ Rockville properties are Certified Wildlife Habitats. • Certification as Sustainable Maryland community. • Native landscaping promoted through rebates, grants, annual native plant sales and tree giveaways. • More than 550 acres of forest permanently protected through forest preserves or easements. |
|
Threats to Birds |
• Building codes include bird-friendly commercial building standards to reduce collisions. • Bird collision prevention decals installed at Croydon Creek Nature Center. • Montgomery County's pesticide law applies in Rockville and restricts the use of certain pesticides on private lawns, playgrounds, mulched recreation areas and childcare facilities to protect people, pets and the environment. |
|
Education and Engagement |
• Year-round bird and habitat conservation programs at Croydon Creek Nature Center. Programs include participation in the Great Backyard Bird Count each February, collaboration with the Washington DC Metro Area City Nature Challenge to encourage community science and biodiversity recording, and eBird trainings for residents and summer campers. • Birding hotspots include RedGate Park, Croydon Creek Nature Center, Upper Watts Branch Park. • Weed Warriors engaged 1,500+ volunteers in invasive plant removal in Rockville parks. • Birds are incorporated into public art installations and educational signage. |
|
Sustainability |
• Adopted Climate Action Plan (CAP) to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and annual reporting through an online CAP dashboard. • Vision Zero and bicycle/pedestrian initiatives to support sustainable transportation. • Continued advancement of green building standards, energy efficiency for municipal buildings, and sustainability initiatives. |
Mayor and Council History
This is the first time this item has been brought to the Mayor and Council.
Boards and Commissions Review
The Environment Commission received an introductory briefing on the Bird City program on October 7, 2025. The Climate Action Committee volunteered to review the program and reported at the December 4, 2025, meeting that the city currently conducts several actions that align with the program. The Committee recommended that the Commission support City participation and allocate the $200 application fee from the Commission’s budget. The benefits of the program include educational materials, more attention to bird habitat, and providing a way to show the City’s commitment to environmental stewardship. Guests from the Bird City Maryland program attended the June 7, 2026, and staff presented a draft application timeline and outreach planned for October. The Commission supported the timeline and approach.
Next Steps
Following adoption of the resolution by the Mayor and Council, staff will submit the Bird City Maryland application through the program’s online portal and plan the outreach activities for the fall of 2026. Staff will also continue to develop outreach and communication content to highlight bird and habitat conservation efforts in Rockville and share information at www.rockvillemd.gov/birdcity <http://www.rockvillemd.gov/birdcity>