BIRD FRIENDLY TORONTO
In the last 50 years, North American bird populations have decreased by more than 25%. It is estimated that three billion of our birds are gone. Nature Canada created the Bird Friendly City certification program to encourage cities to become safer and better places for birds. Certification requires meeting mandatory criteria and meeting standards with regard to reducing human-related threats to birds, protecting and restoring natural habitats, and actively engaging the community in these actions. The scoring system provides communities with a conservation template. Toronto was one of the first cities to be designated a Bird Friendly City in 2021, along with Vancouver, Calgary and London.
We acknowledge that the City of Toronto is on the traditional territory of many nations including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat peoples and is now home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit and Metis peoples. We also acknowledge that Toronto is covered by Treaty 13 signed with the Mississaugas of the Credit and the Williams Treaties signed with multiple Mississaugas and Chippewa bands.
The Bird Friendly City Toronto team includes representatives from FLAP Canada, Toronto Field Naturalists, Toronto Nature Stewards, High Park Nature Centre, Toronto Ornithological Club, Bird Safe UofT, York University, Wildlife Preservation Canada, and Birds Canada.
Toronto's Bird Friendly City application was formally supported by Councillor Mike Layton.
The Bird Friendly City team meets with Nature Canada regularly and completed an annual report in 2022.
Toronto's Bird Friendly City status is highlighted on the Biodiversity page of the City's website
Toronto was re-certified as a Bird Friendly City in 2023.
THREAT REDUCTION
Birds face many human-related threats in cities but Toronto is taking steps to reduce these threats.
HABITAT PROTECTION
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Toronto's lakeshore and green spaces provide vital habitats for a large number of breeding and migratory birds. Protecting and restoring these habitats is essential to making Toronto truly Bird Friendly.
EDUCATION AND OUTREACH
There are many opportunities to learn about birds and celebrate them in Toronto, including an annual bird festival. Information about how to help them is readily available.
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