Erie City Council considered a resolution Tuesday to designate the city as a Pennsylvania Bird Town, an initiative aimed at promoting bird conservation and improving local habitats.
The designation would connect Erie with other Pennsylvania Bird Towns and provide access to resources to support conservation efforts throughout the community.
Officials with the Erie Bird Observatory say the initiative encourages practices that benefit birds and the broader ecosystem, including removing invasive plant species and replacing them with native plants.
Other conservation measures include preventing window collisions during bird migration and reducing stormwater runoff, which can help protect bird populations and improve environmental health.
Holley Short, executive director of the Erie Bird Observatory, said birds can serve as indicators of the health of the environment.
“Birds tell us whether a habitat is good or bad, and that’s really based on their presence, the diversity, of the species that are there,” Short said. “So, when there are birds present and birds are thriving, that means that we are thriving because we’re in a very healthy environment.”
Short said a decline in bird activity can signal environmental problems that may affect people, too.
“When we stop seeing birds, when we stop hearing them sing, we know that there is a problem,” Short said. “Truly, birds are that canary in a coalmine and we really have to listen to them.”
Residents can also help support bird populations by planting native trees and taking steps to prevent pets from preying on birds.
The proposed designation would give Erie another opportunity to strengthen local conservation efforts while promoting a healthier environment for wildlife and residents alike.