WEST CHESTER–Go Birds! Be aware: Not everything about birds concerns football.
West Chester is the newest Bird Town Pennsylvania, as was announced by Bird Town Pennsylvania President Heidi Shiver, during Wednesday’s ceremony at Borough Hall.
Bird Town Pennsylvania supports “creating livable communities through the lives of birds.” The organization advocates for the conservation and preservation of birds, other wildlife and the environment, on which birds depend.
Borough Manager Sean Metrick and bird-lover Connie McEvoy show off the new Bird Town Pennsylvania sign. (BILL RETTEW/MEDIANEWS GROUP)
“The borough was invited to apply and readily gained its preliminary ‘green’ status because of the many bird-habitat-friendly practices exercised in the borough, ranging from no pesticides used in public parks and municipal properties to the growing number of rain and pollinator gardens located throughout the town,” reads a release issued prior to the ceremony.
“As often happens, West Chester’s wonderful volunteers take the initiative to make a positive difference in West Chester life,” the mayor said. “I am thankful for Connie McEvoy, along with Professors Dr. Megan Fork and Dr. Jennifer Uehling both of WCU, the Borough of West Chester Sustainability Director Will Williamson and others for making West Chester BirdTown USA.
“Since West Chester has been designated as Tree Town USA it is good to know that those trees offer a habitat for our birds to thrive!
“Also fun fact: The West Chester Bird Club, founded in 1910, is one of the oldest continuously running bird clubs in the country! As Mayor, I invite you to stop and see our plaque and pick up a pamphlet on creating your own bird habitat. “
State President of Brid Town Pennsylvania, Heidi Shiver, speaks during Wednesday’s ceremony at Borough Hall where West Chester was recognized as a Bird Town Pennsylvania. (BILL RETTEW/MEDIANEWSGROUP)
Borough Manager Sean Metrick has plans.
“I’m looking forward to incorporating bird-friendly design into the landscape and the borough building at 401. E. Gay St.” Metrick said.
Chester County Bird Towns include: Phoenixville, Charlestown, Westtown, West Whiteland and Kennett Township.
Major threats to birds include, loss and fragmentation of habitat, with 40 million acres of lawns in the U.S. and 2 million acres in PA, both feral and outdoor cats kill 2.4 billion birds/year, 1 Billion pounds of pesticides applied in the U.S./year, climate change, invasive species and plastics.
According to the Shiver PowerPoint demonstration, birds help us know if the environment is healthy. Birds are sensitive to toxins and pollutants and serve as an early warning system that something is wrong with the environment.
Birds need our help–breeding bird surveys show a 30 to 77 percent population decline since 1970 and the numbers are still falling.
Birds keep our ecosystems running smoothly. Birds eat 400 to 500 million tons of insects/year. Crows and vultures scavenge carcasses, reducing disease such as rabies, distemper and plague. Birds disperse seeds. And hawks and owls keep the rat and mice population in check.
The 15-year old, non-profit statewide 501 (c)3, will work with the Valley Forge Audubon Council chapter.
The Audubon Council connects with all ages, from first graders to seniors, through educational programs. Last year they held 144 programs, serving 3,174 attendees, which were all led by volunteers.
The society also has a robust social media presence, with Facebook and Instagram, takes field trips, hikes, photography outings, boating events, webinars, accessible outing classes and hosts clubs.
Bird Town Pennsylvania will provide West Chester with a statewide structured program, concrete resources and achievable actions, networking partners, free training and workshops for Bird Town leaders and more opportunities and successful funding initiatives.
Connie McEvoy is recent chair of the Sustainability Advisory Committee and said West Chester is already doing many bird friendly practices.
Cathy Huneke is one of the directors of the West Chester Bird Club. Several club members attended Wednesday‘s ceremony.
Huneke said that it is very important for us to sustain an environment for birds since many birds in the area fly south to Central and South America, and it simply benefits people’s mental health.