For the 80 percent of Americans who live in urban areas, enjoying nature often means watching birds. Urban dwellers may encounter Canada Geese, Ring-billed Gulls, and Mourning Doves, but careful observation can also reveal Common Nighthawks circling the skies or a screech owl perched in the backyard.
Bird City Wisconsin, which is modeled on the Arbor Day Foundation’s Tree City USA, was created by a coalition of Wisconsin conservation and birding organizations to ensure that Wisconsin’s urban residents maintain healthy populations of birds and grow an appreciation for them.
The Bird City Wisconsin idea came into being during a 2003 meeting of the Urban Habitat Committee of the Wisconsin Bird Conservation Initiative (WBCI). The committee saw the potential for an intensive model for bird-focused urban conservation and education that followed the general framework of recommended actions and public recognition that made Tree City USA so successful across the nation. What followed was several years of refinement and a search for the right home.
In 2009, WBCI members received a planning grant for Bird City Wisconsin through the TogetherGreen program, an alliance between the National Audubon Society and Toyota. The grant was awarded to the Milwaukee Audubon Society.
BIRD CITY WISCONSIN MISSION
Bird City Wisconsin works hard to implement its mission:
“To encourage all communities in Wisconsin to implement sound bird-conservation practices by offering public recognition to those that succeed in (a) enhancing the environment for birds and (b) educating the public about the interactions between birds and people and about the contributions birds make to a healthy community.”
The City of Darlington proudly participates in the Bird City Wisconsin Program and has done several things to make our City a Bird City:
Great Blue Heron - Symbolizes Calm & Peace CHARACTERISTICS -Blue Heron lives near water. Great blue herons have a large wingspan and can fly up to 55 kilometres per hour. Blue Herons can see in the dark. Sculptor- David Oswald Sponsored & Painted by Sue Cashman
Bald Eagle – Symbolizes Pride CHARACTERISTICS -National Symbol. Eagles can fly up to 30 m.p.h. and can dive at speeds up to 100 m.p.h.; eagles learn to fly at three months of age and can live 30 years or more in the wild. Sculptor- David Oswald Sponsored & Painted by Pat & Jim Discher
Eastern Bluebird - Symbolizes Joy & hope CHARACTERISTICS- Skilled fliers with incredible vision. They can spot an insect on the ground from 60 feet away. Eastern Bluebirds eat mostly insects, wild fruit and berries. Eastern Bluebirds can be found in Lafayette County from March to October. Migrates to Southwest United States & Mexico during winter months. Sponsored by Lafayette County Bluebird Society & Darlington Community Fund Sculptor – David Oswald Artist – Greg Bykowski
Cedar Waxwing – Symbolizes balance CHARACTERISTICS - These birds are known to live in harmony with their surroundings. In addition, Cedar Waxwings are thought to possess great patience and fortitude. Cedar Waxwings are believed to be messengers of peace and goodwill. Sponsored by the Gerald King Family to honor Barb and her love of birds. Sculptor – David Oswald Artist – Greg Bykowski
Scarlet Tanager - Represents a Symbol of Joy, Peace, and PositivityCHARACTERISTICS - Cardinal family- Medium-sizeorship: Al Coulthard, Hair & Nail Connection, Bard Materials, Havens Financial Services, Inc., Bryson’s Distributing, Investors Community Bank, Darlington Chiropractic- Dr. Carrie Shippy, Lafayette County Historical Society, Darlington Family Restaurant, Mary Ann & Armond Pahnke, David A. Meister, CPA, Pecatonica Valley Antique Club, First National Bank, Pins & Pieces Quilt Shop- Heidi Brenum, Steve, Kim, Ella, & Olivea Winslow Family, and the Wiegel Strong Foundation.Artist-Greg BykowskiSculptor-David Oswald
Northern Cardinal - Represents Prosperity & Pride CHARACTERISTICS - Cheerful song, Brilliant red color-Males Sponsorship: Darlington Community Foundation, Mathys ACE Hardware, Nature’s Gifts, Ritchie’s Implement, Reilly Plumbing & Heating, Subway, Superior Executive Services, TriCom Radio Shack, Town Bank, Town & Country Insurance, Virtue Motors, Wiegel Group. Sculptor- David Oswald Artists- Nikki & Brody Cooper
