U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Why an Urban Conservation Treaty for

Migratory Birds?

For the vast majority of people, birds

represent their most frequent contact

with wildlife. Birds are a valuable

resource, contributing aesthetically,

culturally, scientifically, and economically

to America’s citizens. Urban areas are

critical for migrating birds. Large

concentrations of birds migrate along

flyways or routes on which many large

urban centers have developed. Important

bird habitat is often found within these

metropolitan areas. With an

environmentally aware citizenry dedicated

to conserving and enhancing their natural

resources, cities can be sanctuaries for

migratory birds and other wildlife.

What Is an Urban Conservation Treaty for

Migratory Birds?

An Urban Conservation Treaty for

Migratory Birds is a partnership

agreement between a U.S. city and the

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) to

conserve migratory

birds through

education and

habitat

improvement.

The Service

provides

challenge

grants and

technical

assistance.

The Treaty

city

develops

and

Urban Conservation Treaty for

Migratory Birds

Making Cities Better for Birds

implements bird conservation projects,

provides matching dollars and in-kind

support, and develops additional

partnerships.

What Type of Funding Is Provided?

Cities are awarded Service “challenge”

grants from $10,000 to $150,000, depending

on the scope of projects proposed by city

and Service project leaders. The Treaty

city is “challenged” to raise an amount

equal or greater than the amount of funds

awarded by the Service. The match may

consist of cash or “in-kind” contributions

of goods and services from the Treaty city

or third party donors.

What Are the Main Components?

The focus areas of the Urban Conservation

Treaty for Migratory Birds are Habitat

Creation, Protection, and Restoration;

Education and Outreach; Hazard(s)

Reduction; and Non-native, Invasive, or

Nuisance Animal and Plant Species

Management. Each city will work with the

Migratory Bird Management

Mission

To conserve migratory bird

populations and their habitats

for future generations, through

careful monitoring and effective

management.

The Peregrine Falcon is a notable example of a wildlife species able to adapt

to the urban environment. credit: Bob Hines
For More Information:

U.S. Fish and Wildife Service

Division of Migratory Bird Management

4401 N. Fairfax Drive, MS: 4107

Arlington, VA 22203

703 358 1714

http://birds.fws.gov

April 2003

Service to develop a customized action

plan that specifies goals and objectives in

the four focus areas. Some cities may

choose to emphasize education programs

through teaching bird-focused curricula or

constructing schoolyard habitat sites.

Others may choose to reach out to

individuals in the workplace or owners of

tall buildings by providing incentives for

dimming or turning lights off at night

during peak migration to reduce fatal bird

collisions. In all cities, there will be efforts

to raise awareness of the public’s role in

conserving declining species by creating,

protecting and restoring habitat.

What Is the Selection Process?

An Urban Conservation Treaty Team,

made up of Service personnel from several

regions within the U.S., is accepting

recommendations from agency field

locations near metropolitan areas, and

reviewing formal letters of interest from

municipalities around the country to

determine appropriate locations for Treaty

cities.

A guideline booklet to apply for an Urban

Conservation Treaty for Migratory Birds

is available on-line at http://birds.fws.gov/

urbantreaty.html or from the Division of

Migratory Bird Management at 703 358

1714.

Is There a Recognition Program?

Yes, at the completion of action plan

initiatives, a city will receive a national

“Golden Wing Award” to recognize its

ongoing commitment to urban migratory

bird conservation. There will also be

opportunities for the Treaty cities and the

The Urban Conservation Treaty

Program capitalizes on the

increasing public interest in

migratory birds and the national

trend toward increasing the

livability of urban areas.

Service to promote their program

throughout the extent of the grant period,

and for established Treaty cities to mentor

newer fledgling Treaty cities as they

develop their action plans, and to team

together on national awareness campaigns.

Where Are the Treaty Cities and

Why Were They Selected?

The Treaty cities are selected based on the

intent of their proposal and for their

commitment to provide habitat for wildlife,

particularly migratory birds. Other

criteria are a city’s location along a major

migratory flyway, and its proximity to

Service personnel who are able to provide

technical assistance and guidance in

achieving the Treaty activities.

New Orleans, Louisiana

Mayor Marc H. Morial

Date: June 13, 1999

Grant Amount: $50,000

Chicago, Illinois

Mayor Richard M. Daley

Date: March 25, 2000

Grant Amount: $120,000

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Mayor John F. Street

Date: May 8, 2002

Grant Amount: $75,000

Houston, Texas

Mayor Lee P. Brown

Date: April 18, 2003

Grant Amount: $120,000

Portland, Oregon will sign a Treaty in

May 2003.

credit: Bob Hines

People and birds can co-exist in many settings. credit: Bob Hines

What Else Is Needed for the Program?

A permanent source of funding will be

required to meet the growing demand for

this ambitious new program. Wildlife

managers in the Service and in cities and

conservation organizations welcome the

focus on urban conservation and are

clamoring to be included.