Birds Georgia announces Launch of Bird City Georgia

Birds Georgia is excited to announce the official launch of Bird City Georgia, a new statewide initiative designed to help communities become healthier for both birds and people. With this launch, Georgia becomes the 16th member of the Bird City Network, joining more than 200 communities across four countries working to create bird-friendly environments.

Bird City Georgia is a collaborative effort led by a steering committee with representatives from Birds Georgia, the Georgia Native Plant Society, and the Georgia Ornithological Society. Together, we are guiding cities, towns, counties, and campuses across Georgia in taking meaningful steps to protect native bird populations while enhancing quality of life for residents.

To become a certified Bird City, a community must meet at least 12 requirements from the program’s comprehensive Action List. Examples include controlling invasive species on public lands, promoting native plants, and creating or preserving wildlife corridors and green spaces.

Benefits to Certified Bird Cities
Birds are essential indicators of ecosystem health. Actions taken to protect birds also support pollinators, improve air and water quality, and reduce harmful chemical use. What’s good for birds is good for people, too – these steps can help create more vibrant and livable communities. Birds also help support economic development. Becoming certified as a Bird City can promote local tourism and local businesses.
 
Communities will also receive a variety of direct benefits from the Bird City Program including:

• Signage to announce that you are a Bird City Community
• Support services including access to technical expertise, programs, funding opportunities, and access to experts in different areas of bird conservation
• A webpage through the Bird City Georgia Website which promotes your achievements, participating team members, events, tourism, and other outreach strategies
• Becoming part of an interconnected, growing network of Bird City Communities in Georgia

Get Involved
Bird City Georgia welcomes applications from cities, towns, counties, and campuses. Interested communities are encouraged to read the action list, assemble a group of local stakeholders, and begin the application process.

For more information and to learn how your community can apply, visit: https://birdcity.org/georgia

About the Bird City Network
American Bird Conservancy (ABC) and Environment for the Americas (EFTA) joined forces with major support from US Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS) to create The Bird City Network. The Network unites Bird City Programs across the hemisphere into a powerful collaborative force for birds - bringing people together in their home communities to make them healthier for birds and for people.

About Birds Georgia: Birds Georgia is building places where birds and people thrive. We create bird-friendly communities through conservation, education, and community engagement. We look forward to celebrating the 100- year anniversary of our organization in 2026. Learn more at https://www.birdsgeorgia.org/.

Photos L to R: Create and maintain a public demonstration garden focused predominantly on native plants to benefit birds, wildlife, and ecosystems. Photo by Logan Jones  Birds Georgia; Demonstrate on-going efforts to reduce window collisions at building(s) within your community by mitigating problem glass or utilizing proven bird-friendly design. Photo by Jill Helton; ​Educate and engage all ages in conservation activities. Photo by Birds Georgia.