NFWF Five Star - Urban Bird Treaty Grant Program

Anchorage, Alaska

Year: 2022 Project Title: Connecting Anchorage Resident to their Watersheds through Monitoring, Restoration, Education and Recreation Grantee: Alaska Geographic Association Project Description:  This project provides opportunities for Anchorage residents to become empowered stewards of local natural resources on and off-refuge through fishing, birdwatching, watershed education, and hands-on restoration projects. This project breaks down barriers for Anchorage’s urban neighborhoods to access the waters that run right by their homes and schools while also helping address priority habitat restoration issues within the city limits.

Year: 2018 Project Title: Connecting Anchorage Residents to their Watersheds Grantee: Alaska Geographic Association Project Description: Removed 20 acres of invasive European bird cherry from the Campbell Creek watershed to provide improved habitat and opportunities for urban youth and families to become better stewards of local natural resources through watershed education, water quality monitoring, and hands-on restoration. Project broke down barriers for Anchorage’s urban neighborhoods to access natural resources by helping address priority habitat restoration issues within the city limits.

Atlanta, Georgia

Year: 2023 Project Title: Restoring Bird-friendly Habitat in the South River Watershed Grantee: Birds Georgia Description: Partners will restore 10 acres of imperiled Piedmont habitat to protect the South River Watershed for the benefit of birds, pollinators, and other wildlife. Eight local partners and at least 50 volunteers will work to install 5,400 bird-friendly native plants and 40 pounds of seed and remove 10 acres of non-native invasive vegetation, as well as engage at least 460 community members, including at least 300 students, in conservation experiences.

Year: 2019 Project Title: Restoring Migratory Songbird Habitat at Atlanta’s Cascade Springs Grantee: Birds Georgia Description: Restored urban bird habitat by removing exotic, invasive plants and installing native, bird-friendly plants and conduct bird surveys in Cascade Springs Nature Preserve located in the Utoy Creek watershed in southwest Atlanta, Georgia. Project resulted in 12 acres of restored bottomland forest, one year’s worth of bird population data, interpretive signage and a series of educational programming with the local community.

Year: 2015 Project Title: Creating Bird-friendly Communities in Atlanta's Urban Tributaries Grantee: Atlanta Audubon Society Description: Created two bird-friendly natural areas along urban tributaries of the Chattahoochee River watershed at Blue Heron Nature Preserve and the Confluence of North and South Forks of Peachtree Creek. Removed invasives and re-planted native species on five acres of bird habitat and conducted regular inventory of birds to create baseline data to inform conservation decisions. Engagement efforts involved 80 community members in volunteer work and educated over 500 people on topics including migratory birds and their habitats.  

Baltimore, Maryland

Year: 2020 Project Title: Community Care of Urban Forest Patches: Preparing for Preservation in Baltimore  Grantee: Baltimore Green Space Project description: Lead neighborhood efforts to plant perennials, shrubs, and trees and remove invasive plants and trash from three community forests in Baltimore City to help communities demonstrate their capacity to steward the land and strengthen native habitat and stormwater management functions. Project will engage 300 community members in educational programming and 100 volunteers in restoration activities to plant 38 trees and coordinate care on 3 acres.

Year: 2019 Project Title: Empowering Communities through Bird Outreach in Baltimore Grantee: Baltimore Bird Club Project Description: Empowering a community of Bird Buddy neighbors through information and tools in a set of bird-friendly focused workshops and outreach events to residents and businesses. Project restored a one-acre pollinator meadow, planted a community demonstration garden, reached 2,500 community members, and culminated in a Leakin Park Community Work Day to show that bird-friendly habitats are a vital part of Baltimore.

Year: 2016 Project Title: Creating Support for Migratory Birds through Citizen Science in Baltimore Grantee: Baltimore Chesapeake Bay Outward Bound Description: Engaged students in community science, expanded demonstration area, and celebrated Baltimore Birds Day. Expanded the invasive removal demonstration area from one to three acres using 625 volunteers to remove invasive plants and engaged 100 high school and college students in monitoring biological data at the site. A BioBlitz event was held to involve the community in their local greenspace and encourage appreciation for migratory birds and other wildlife. The Celebrate Baltimore Birds Day was held in May 2017 to align with International Migratory Bird Day, and engaged more than 300 people. Activities were held in Gwynn Falls Leakin' Park in Baltimore, Maryland.

Year: 2015 Project Title: Baltimore's Birds, Habitat, and People: Essentials for a New Urban Bird Treaty City Grantee: Outward Bound Baltimore Description: Created an action plan to establish a habitat restoration demonstration area, reduce migratory bird hazards, and hold a “Celebrate Baltimore's Birds” community festival. Used Gwynn Falls Leakin' Park, a 1,216-acre natural area, as a launching pad and model for Urban Bird Treaty activities in Baltimore. Outcomes included engaging 625 volunteers, planting 150 trees, and removing 2 acres of invasive plant species in the park through community engagement.

Battle Creek, Michigan (not an UBT city)

Year: 2024 Project Title: Restoring Battle Creek’s Natural Areas for a Healthier Kalamazoo River Grantee: City of Battle Creek Description: Partners will restore 12 acres of degraded natural areas along the Kalamazoo River in Battle Creek, Michigan, by planting a diverse, young forest with a focus on benefitting priority bird species. The project will recover the original main channel of the Kalamazoo River that was relocated in the 1960s and restore the slopes and forest edges that have been disturbed by people and left vulnerable to invasive species . The project will engage 150 community volunteers, an undergraduate student, and 500 K-12 youth in tree planting and bird monitoring, and establish a long-term bird population monitoring site. Partners will provide educational events and opportunities for 20 K-12 teachers to set up STEM, volunteer, service learning and community science programs. This project is building a resilient urban forest, a healthier Kalamazoo River, and a community more connected to its local riverine and forest habitats and birdlife. In addition, A Manager’s Guide to Restoring Degraded Urban Areas for Priority Bird Habitat will be published by FMB & Forester. Partners include Natural Capital Forestry, LLC, Kalamazoo River Watershed Council, American Bird Conservancy, Kellogg Biological Station Bird Sanctuary, MI Tree Farm Committee, Leila Arboretum Society, Battle Creek Public Schools Michigan Youth Challenge Academy, Sustainable BC Committee, BC Employees, Kellanova Go, Green Team, City of Springfield.

Boston, Massachusetts (not an UBT city)

Year: 2023 Project Title: Belle Isle Marsh: Conservation, Stewardship, and Education Grantee: Mystic River Watershed Association Description: Partners will support and expand monitoring of the Saltmarsh Sparrow in Belle Isle Marsh, the last remaining salt marsh in Boston Harbor, contributing to vital efforts to preserve the species in the face of extinction caused by sea level rise. In addition, the project will support vital invasive species management efforts, volunteer events to build stewardship of this important resource, and educational programs that build awareness of habitat, and salt marsh ecology. Communities to be engaged include neighborhoods in East Boston and Revere, both of which abut the marsh. Outreach will target populations in Revere, where residents will have the opportunity to get engaged in the project.

Chicago, Illinois

Year: 2020 Project Title: Wetland Restoration, Community Engagement and Citizen Science at Watersmeet Woods Forest Preserve Grantee: Friends of the Forest Preserves Project Description: Remove invasive species on 40 acres of habitat for birds, amphibians and wetland plants at Watersmeet Woods forest preserve in the Chicago River watershed to improve regional water quality. Project will engage 50 volunteers and support five Conservation Corps interns in invasive plant removal and train 10 citizen science leaders to monitor plants and animals at the project site.

Year: 2019 Project Title: Building on Partner Successes to Expand Birding in Diverse Neighborhoods   Grantee: Chicago Audubon Society Project Description: Trained new field trip leaders and engaged the community to restore riparian woodland, prairie, and savanna habitat and address windows that are dangerous to birds. Project trained 25 new field trip leaders, ultimately increasing the number of field trip leaders of color in Chicago, put 9.6 acres of habitat under improved management, and engaged 300 new people in birding activities. 

Year: 2015 Project Title: Chicago Urban Treaty Alliance Grantee: Forest Preserve District of Cook County                          Description: Partners worked with local land managers, scientists and volunteers to improve migratory landbird habitat at two critical locations: LaBagh Forest Preserve on the north side of Chicago and Burnham Greenway on the south side of Chicago, where 22 acres of habitat were improved by replacing invasive plants with clumps of native shrubs and small trees along the banks of the Chicago River. Restoration also was conducted on 16 acres at the Chicago Park District’s Burnham Wildlife Corridor, a site designated as an Important Bird Area and one of Illinois’ best places for migratory landbirds. An additional two acres were improved by enhancing three former makeover sites in nearby neighborhoods on Chicago‘s South Side. This project developed a community science  protocol for monitoring migratory birds  that is used to inform adaptive management practices. Community outreach and education efforts promoted the benefits of healthy bird habitat to 830 people, and the engaged 143 volunteers to participate in restoration workdays, bird monitoring activities, and becoming leaders for bird walks and other nature field trips.

Detroit, Michigan

Year: 2023 Project Title: Detroit Bird City Phase II Grantee: Detroit Audubon Society Description: Partners will accomplish Detroit Bird City restoration, working with many neighborhood organizations around each park to be restored. At each park partners will conduct community engagement and planning to restore 23.6 acres of native meadows, install signs, benches, and pathways, and provide educational programs and conservation events. These native meadows provide ecological functions such as pollination, bird habitat, stormwater capture, carbon sequestration, and air and water pollution mitigation as well as community access to green space.

Year: 2017 Project Title: Wild Indigo Nature Exploration Detroit Expansion Grantee: National Audubon Society, Inc. Description: Trained staff members from local communities and leaders of other community organizations to serve as urban naturalists and promote stewardship of local nature. Developed community engagement programming that introduced local community members in Detroit to the woodland, meadow, marsh, and coastal wetland ecosystems, and migratory birds of Detroit River region, while promoting the value of stewardship of natural areas in their backyard. Project activities included bird monitoring at several sites, restoring habitats, planting 20 trees, and educating 1,000 community members.  

Honolulu, Hawai'i (not an UBT city)

Year: 2022 Project Title: Kalou Fishpond Restoration Grantee: North Shore Community Land Trust Project Description: This project entails removal of invasive vegetation over 12.7 acres, which will result in 4.9 acres of open pond habitat, 3.2 acres of native vegetation, 9.3 acres of pasture, and 1.4 acres of open space in the historic Kalou Fishpond, the last undeveloped space in the north shore. This work will create suitable habitat for five species of native waterbirds, including Hawaiian Duck, Hawaiian Stilt, and Hawaiian Coot, mitigate stormwater runoff, and engage a diverse cross section of the community that has strong cultural ties to the area.

Houston, Texas

Year: 2023 Project Title: People, Wildlife and Plastic Reduction Grantee: American Bird Conservancy Description: Partners will reduce plastic pollution in the Galveston Bay watershed by organizing cleanup events at Houston Parks, State Parks, and National Wildlife Refuges while also training a conservation fellow that will be mentored by USFWS, Texas Parks and Wildlife, and the American Bird Conservancy. Expected outcomes include reaching local communities in the Houston-Galveston region and students in the Texas Education Agency’s Region 4, as well as reducing threats of plastic entanglement to endangered bird and wildlife species in the Galveston Bay watershed. 

Year: 2021 Project Title: State of the Birds: Establishing Conservation Priorities and Restoring Urban Habitat in Communities Using Avian Indicators Grantee: Houston Advanced Research Center, Houston Description: This project resulted in a  state of the birds report and story map  for the Houston-Galveston region. Partners also restored 9.5 acres of riparian habitat in three local urban parks by planting 2,175 native trees and created a 0.25 acres native pocket prairie for families with little access to nature. The project reached 50 educators, 1,950 students, and 11,600 community members through direct engagement at events, education programs, and workshops.

Year: 2016 Project Title: Houston Regional Urban Riparian Restoration Grantee: Houston Wilderness Description: Restored 20 acres of wetlands, removed 20 acres of invasive species, planted 200 trees, and monitored 5 streams in the Greater Houston region. Project enhanced habitats to promote a variety of improved ecosystem services, such as habitat for migratory birds, butterflies, and other wildlife, improved air and water quality, flood and erosion control, and recreation for the local community.

Year: 2015 Project Title: Bringing the Prairie Back to Houston Grantee: Houston Wilderness Description: Created a model native prairie demonstration project on two city parks that  also serve as a source for a native seed bank. This project replaced the use of exotic grasses with native grasses and wildflowers for the benefit of pollinators, migratory birds, and  resident/migratory species. The partnership engaged the public in habitat restoration,  and environmental education and outreach.

Lansing, Michigan

Year: 2017 Project Title: Greater Lansing Area Bird-friendly Communities Program Grantee: Michigan Audubon Society Inc. Description: Carried out a suite of urban bird conservation programs that engaged the Greater Lansing area in urban species conservation, native habitat creation, and window hazard reduction to have a community-wide, landscape-scale impact for birds and people. Reached 1,300 citizens through outreach and educational events that included: community science kick-off events, youth summer camps, International Migratory Bird Day celebrations, migratory bird walks, and bird habitat workshops. Restoration workdays and community science efforts engaged an additional 115 volunteers in projects to help migratory birds such as Chimney Swifts and Purple Martins. Over 65 acres of urban migratory bird habitat along the Grand River were improved through removal of invasive plant species and reintroduction of native plant species to enhance water quality, decrease erosion, and provide quality habitat for migratory and breeding birds.

Los Angeles, California (not an UBT city)

Year: 2022 Project Title: Ballona Creek Watershed Community Stewardship Grantee: Los Angeles Audubon Society Project Description:  This project engaged approximately 2,500 youth from local communities and hundreds of community volunteers in education and habitat restoration. Students gained knowledge of the Ballona Creek watershed through field trips, an after-school environmental leadership program, a youth summit, and hands-on restoration of 2 acres of coastal sage scrub habitat and 7.7 acres of beach habitat. Fifty-two interns completed weekly habitat restoration tasks at Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook: invasive plant removal, installation of native plants, maintenance on plant basins in restoration areas, seed collection, seeding, and transplanting. The project increases community access to nature, improves local watershed health, and benefits birds and other wildlife that use these habitats.

Las Vegas (not an UBT city)

Year: 2019 Project Title: Fostering Stewardship of Monarch Habitat in Urban Communities Grantee: Outside Las Vegas Foundation dba Get Outdoors Nevada Project Description: Restored 14 acres of habitat for monarch butterflies and other local pollinators, owls, migratory birds, and desert tortoise through 18 native habitat education programs, six field experiences, two community workshops, and six community service projects throughout the Las Vegas Valley watershed. Project provided increased public access to native habitats and engaged 830 community members. (not an UBT city)

McAllen, Texas

Year: 2015 Project Title: Urban Bird Conservation Project Grantee: City of McAllen Description: Within the Tamaulipan Brushland ecosystem and the Rio Grande/Rio Bravo watershed. restored four acres of field mixed with Texas ebony and mesquite back into a native forest through the planting of 100 trees and 600 shrubs, by working in local volunteers. Provided equipment for an International Migratory Bird Day celebration,  including binoculars for community participants during programming, native plant brochures aimed to raise awareness amongst local citizens, and materials to create Nature Discovery backpacks to be used at area recreation and nature centers.

Minneapolis-Saint Paul

Year: 2016 Project Title: Revisiting, Reviving, Expanding and Sustaining Urban Bird Treaty Goals Grantee: National Audubon Society, Inc. Description: Completed a restoration project, piloted an urban education program with the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge), and created a municipal recognition program for bird-friendly communities. Project engaged youth in removing invasive species and creating bird habitat in the Mississippi River corridor, and piloted an Urban Birding Program with the Refuge to engage youth in discovering birds in their neighborhoods and at the Refuge. Celebrated municipal efforts to educate citizens about birds while implementing sound conservation practices to promote urban environments that are better for birds and people too.

Year: 2015 Project Title: Urban Bird Treaty Revival: Better for Birds, Habitat, and People  Grantee: National Audubon Society, Inc. Description: Worked to create an environmentally-aware citizenry dedicated to transforming the places they live and work into habitats where birds thrive. Mobilized local people and public officials to implement sound conservation practices that make Minnesota communities healthier for birds. Carried out a successful Bird City recognition program in Minnesota to educate municipal leaders and engage communities in bird conservation. Engaged youth in restoring three acres by removing invasive plants and planting an array of beneficial native species. Supplied youth organizations with birding supplies, helping them discover birds in their community and introducing them to Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge.

New Haven, Connecticut

Year: 2024 Project Title: Rippling Outward: Growing the Education & Restoration Impact of the New Haven Harbor Urban Wildlife Refuge Partnership in Connecticut  Grantee: New Haven Ecology Project Description: Partners will restore and bring best management practices to at least 26 acres of schoolyard habitats, urban greenspaces, city parks, riparian zones, and urban neighborhoods across the City of New Haven, Connecticut. The project begins with 29 urban oasis sites at schoolyards and greenspaces, and ripples outward by expanding current areas of habitat restoration, removing invasive species, improving habitat along riparian corridors and city parks, and increasing the tree canopy in neighborhoods. Partners will also create 18 paid internships, engage more than 865 students in outdoor education, provide training and resources to 63 local teachers, and engage more than 900 adults and young people as stewards. Partners include the Stewart B. McKinney Wildlife Refuge, New Haven Urban Resources Initiative, New Haven Public Schools, and Community Placemaking Engagement Network.

Year: 2022 Project Title: Native Plants for a Bird-friendly New Haven Grantee: National Audubon Society, Inc. Project Description: Partners employed local youth as native plant propagators to grow and distribute native plants as well as environmental and conservation-themed educational programming to four high population density neighborhoods in New Haven, CT. Partners created opportunities for urban youth and adults to learn about native plant restoration for migratory birds through 12 on-site workshops and then take those lessons home to further conservation action in their communities and at their homes. Ten paid-internships were created, invasive plants were removed and 1,500 native species planted to restore six acres, 531 people reached through direct educational programming, and 75 educational native plant yard signs were posted by community members that planted natives in their yards and communities.

Year: 2020 Project Title: Green Jobs Corps: Growing the Urban Refuge Partnership (CT) Grantee: New Haven Ecology Project Project Description: Partners engaged a group of local high school students to restore and bring best management practices to schoolyard habitats, urban greenspaces, coastal preserves and National Wildlife Refuge land across the City of New Haven and surrounding communities. Project engaged 8,610 students through outdoor days and teacher-led lessons and hired 59 student interns to plant 40 street trees and restore 3 acres through invasive removal, native plantings and improved management practices benefitting migratory birds and local communities.

Year: 2018 Project Title: Urban Oases in the New Haven Harbor Watershed Grantee: National Audubon Society Project Description: Engaged local residents in restoring 20 acres of urban green space in parks and schoolyards to improve watershed health and provide quality habitat for migratory wildlife while also addressing critical community needs in local neighborhoods of greater New Haven. Project enhanced habitat at 31 school/park habitat sites, improved management of 545 acres of private land, and engaged 12,000 people through outreach and restoration activities.

Year: 2016 Project Title: Expanding Urban Oases in the New Haven Harbor Watershed Grantee: National Audubon Society Description: Engaged multiple stakeholders in restoration of urban green spaces to improve watershed health, provide quality bird habitat, and address critical community needs in local neighborhoods of greater New Haven. Used a GIS decision tool developed with input from community members to identify hotspots for migrant birds and watershed health that will help local residents access to natural resources. Worked with schools, parks, land trusts, and universities to engage homeowners in transforming their yards into healthy habitats through a “Plant It Native” campaign. Results included: 16 acres of enhanced habitat, 3,500 students participated in outdoor learning experiences, including 1,000 students in the Schoolyard Habitat program; 50 teachers trained; 900 volunteers restored habitat; 30 community scientists and 26 students employed; and 200 homeowners participated in Plant It Native campaign.

Year: 2015  Project Title: Urban Oases for Migrating Songbirds in the New Haven Harbor Watershed Grantee: National Audubon Society, Inc. Description: Employed an innovative model of community-based land stewardship that engages multiple stakeholders in restoration of urban green spaces to provide quality stop-over habitat for migratory songbirds while also addressing community needs in local neighborhoods of New Haven. With the aid of an innovative GIS decision support tool developed with input from local community stakeholders, identified hotspots for migrant birds that also provide nearby nature for local communities. Provided opportunities for students and their families, neighborhood groups, and the general public to participate in habitat restoration, community science, development of interpretive signage, and green job skills training as they learned about the value of urban green spaces for wildlife and watershed health. Resulted in 4.2 acres of enhanced habitat; an IBA plan for 426 acres; 3,000 people reached; 2,780 students with outdoor learning experiences; 820 students in the Schoolyard Habitat program; 41 teachers with improve capacity to teach outdoors; 1,315 volunteers engaged in habitat restoration, and 90 community scientists and 26 students employed.

New Orleans, Louisiana

Year: 2021 Project Title: Urban Bird Habitat and Environmental Education at the University of New Orleans Grantee: University of New Orleans (UNO) Partners: Orleans Audubon, Pontchartrain Conservancy, Native Plant Initiative of Greater New Orleans, and Louisiana Master Naturalists of Greater New Orleans Description: This project will establish an urban birding trail at the University of New Orleans, initiate regular campus bird counts and citizen science, plant 120 native trees and shrubs along the trail route to enhance habitat and improve public spaces, launch UNO participation in trash cleanup events; and provide 375 environmental educational experiences to first-generation college-seekers. Photo: UNO is on the shores of Lake Pontchartrain---an important migratory stopover for migratory birds; credit UNO. 

New York, New York

Year: 2024 Project Title: Engaging communities in bird conservation through habitat restoration, collision monitoring, and birding in New York City Grantee: NYC Bird Alliance Description: Partners will engage local community members and youth interns in restoring 3.5 acres of wetland and meadow habitats and monitoring for biodiversity in Van Cortlandt Park to benefit migrating and nesting birds. These activities support city and state plans for stormwater management, natural resource enhancement, and public engagement in the Harlem River watershed. The project will support 360 community science volunteers over three migratory seasons to undertake bird collision monitoring that will generate the data needed to guide bird-friendly retrofits, Lights Out efforts, and reduce bird collisions with glass, which kill up to 230,000 birds each year in New York City. An afterschool birding club with 25 public elementary school students, 21 free bird outings reaching 200 people, and two bird outings will foster a connection with nature and an interest in birding and wildlife conservation among communities in the Bronx and throughout New York City. Partners include Van Cortlandt Park Alliance, Crotona Park, Latino Outdoors, Van Cortlandt Park Nature Group, Ampark Neighborhood School - PS 344, and American Bird Conservancy.

Year: 2022 Project Title: Engaging Communities in Bird Conservation: Habitat restoration, Monitoring, Education, and Birding Grantee: New York City Audubon, Inc., Bronx, NY Project Description: Project partners restored and monitored 2.5 acres of habitat in Van Cortlandt Park with youth interns and volunteers, and organized hundreds of volunteers to conducted bird collision surveys on 14 routes in all five boroughs. Partners engaged people from local communities in nearly three dozen bird outings in Van Cortlandt Park, and provided an afterschool birding club at a Bronx elementary school adjacent to the park. The project enhanced native wet meadow and upland meadow habitat for migratory and nesting birds, reduced stormwater runoff in Harlem River watershed to support city and state plans for daylighting Tibbetts Brook, and enhanced bird habitat and biodiversity in the park's "Forever Wild" preserve. Bird collision surveys continued to build a 25-year New York City bird collision dataset and supported efforts to mitigate building hazards, and monitor bird-friendly retrofits.

Year: 2020 Project Title: Community Science and Restoration for a Wildlife-friendly City  Grantee: New York City Audubon Society Project Description: Partners engaged volunteers from diverse New York City communities in  several conservation projects, including conducting bird-collision and horseshoe crab monitoring, turning a neglected 2.75-acre Jamaica Bay coastline into a bird-friendly, recreational, and educational space, and clearing trash from coastal habitat in New York City. These activities provided data for efforts to reduce the yearly 90,000 to 230,000 collision fatalities of migratory birds in New York City; supported state and region-wide horseshoe crab conservation; restored and enhanced 15 acres of habitat for horseshoe crabs and shorebirds; while involving 775 youth and adults in these hands-on conservation activities.

Year: 2019 Project Title: Marine Conservation Corps for the Long-term Stewardship of Jamaica Bay Grantee: Rockaway Waterfront Alliance Project Description: Trained 40 young people to restore 11.5 acres of a critical coastal environment to improve water quality and habitat for endangered and priority species. Project engaged local private and public partners and 600 volunteers through community stewardship efforts to plant 10,000 sprigs of grasses, remove 1,500 pounds of shoreline debris and invasive species along 11.5 acres, and monitor oysters reefs for water quality.

Year: 2016 Project Title: Restoration, Stewardship and Monitoring to Benefit Shorebirds in the Jamaica Bay Watershed Grantee: NYC Audubon Description: Protected migratory and nesting shorebirds in New York City through a combination of habitat restoration and enhancement, community outreach and education, and research. Organized two beach cleanups, a marsh-planting event, and a dune-planting event in various parts of Jamaica Bay, engaging volunteers from throughout New York City as well as the immediate area’s community members. Organized two beach outreach events, taught a three-part unit to Brooklyn middle-schoolers, and continued a community science program of monitoring shorebirds and horseshoe crabs.

Ogden, Utah

Year: 2023 Project Title: Improving Water Quality and Wildlife Habitat within the Weber River Watershed Grantee: Ogden Nature Center Project Description: Partners will carry out several projects within the Weber River Watershed with the aid of local K-12 students, including multiple river and trail restoration days focused on removing trash and invasive species and through the construction of a new wetland and bolstered riparian corridor at the Ogden Nature Center. This partnership will extend its reach into the community and watershed to improve water quality, create wildlife habitat, conduct avian research, provide hands-on experiences, promote citizen science, and spread awareness on local watershed health and pollution sources.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Year: 2019 Project Title: Community Centered Conservation of Important Bird Habitats in Philadelphia  Grantee: National Audubon Society Project Description: Converted vacant lots in targeted southwestern Philadelphia communities into gardens, pocket parks, and pollinator corridors that will increase and improve habitats for birds, pollinators and other wildlife. Project engaged 1,500 volunteers to restore 10 acres through invasive plant removal and expanded native species plantings, and restored 2 miles of riparian habitat to reduce erosion and improve water quality.

Year: 2015 Project Title: Philly Wild: Neighborhood Environmental Stewardship and Action  Grantee: National Audubon Society, Inc. Description:  Philly Wild is a multifaceted community conservation engagement project that enhances habitat for migrating songbirds and improves watershed health while engaging the community in environmental learning, science, and stewardship. The project educated students, their families, neighborhood groups, and other members of the public about the value of urban green spaces for watershed health and wildlife. Improved habitat quality for birds and created healthier communities for people through habitat restoration within two Important Bird Areas in the city: Fairmount Park and Heinz National Wildlife Refuge. It encourage increased community support and participation in conservation at the refuge and other areas, and attracted new participants from local communities, specifically youth, in the restoration of natural areas in the city.

Phoenix, Arizona

Year: 2024 Project Title: Conserving Urban Birds in the Southwest Grantee: National Audubon Society, Inc. Description: Partners will create meaningful engagement opportunities for community members in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Phoenix, Arizona, along two major rivers, the Rio Grande and the Salt. Partners will create opportunities for local urban audiences to participate in educational programs and habitat restoration projects, attend two bird festivals, and participate in one "new birding leader" workshop in both states. All events are designed in partnership with local organizations with the intention to educate new audiences about urban birds and inspire meaningful actions that benefit birds, other wildlife, and people in urban areas. To strengthen existing partnerships and foster new ones, activities will be centered at the Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge visitor center in Albuquerque and at the Rio Salado Audubon Center in Phoenix. Partners include Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge, Bird Alliance of Central New Mexico, Friends of the Valle de Oro Friends group, Ancestral Lands Youth Corps, Rio Reimagined, USFWS Arizona Ecological Office, Phoenix area Audubon Chapters, Arizona Bird Conservation Initiative.

Year: 2020 Project Title: Creating Habitat for Burrowing Owls in Powers Butte (AZ) Grantee: National Audubon Society Project Description: Mobilize volunteers to build homes for burrowing owls on an Arizona Game and Fish Department Wildlife Area located west of Phoenix called Powers Butte. Project will install artificial burrows in an area encompassing about 5 acres adjacent to the Gila River. Project will build 100 new burrows and re-home 50-60 burrowing owls, as wells as focus outreach efforts on high schools located in Phoenix’s West Valley, adjacent to the new owl site.

Year: 2018 Project Title: Audubon Arizona’s Downtown Owls Grantee: National Audubon Society Project Description: Mobilized 150 volunteers to build artificial homes for displaced burrowing owls in Phoenix and assist with active translocation efforts. Project facilitated monitoring the owls as they adjusted to their new homes and educated local communities about urban wildlife habitats.

Year: 2016 Project Title: What’s the Catch: Monitoring and Conservation of Urban Waterways and Recreational Lakes for Native Fishes, Migratory Birds and Local Communities in metro-Phoenix Grantee: Arizona State University Project Description: The project provided extensive training, multi-generational mentoring, and hands-on experiences for university and K-12 students in wildlife and water quality monitoring, conservation, and community outreach for more than 85 acres of urban ponds/lakes, including adjacent segments of 3 associated canals and 2 river systems in the Phoenix-metro area. Over two years, over 60 volunteers monitored the state of urban aquatic resources, including the type and quantity of pollutants and the type and quantity of native fishes and migratory birds. They surveyed and physically removed invasive crayfish and Quagga mussels from the 8 aquatic lakes/ponds. They developed a variety of educational materials for K-12 and university students and the general public to increase community stewardship of shared urban aquatic resources, reduce the spread of invasive species, and to promote local aquatic conservation action. 

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Year: 2024 Project Title: Advancing Chimney Swift Conservation in Pittsburgh Grantee: Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania Description: Partners will advance chimney swift conservation through habitat creation and restoration, research, monitoring, and the development of a framework for conserving chimney swifts in western Pennsylvania. The project will include data collection and analysis of 150 swift towers to identify characteristics of towers associated with nesting activity, restore 2.5 acres of habitat by installing bird-friendly demonstration gardens, and construct 2 new swift nesting towers. In addition, 490 community members will be engaged in educational programs, including swift nights out, and 50 volunteers and one paid intern will support bird monitoring, habitat restoration, and co-leading bird trips. The conservation framework and educational materials, including a video on tower construction will help to inform chimney swift conservation across the eastern U.S. and southeastern Canada. Partners include St. Vincent College, Three Rivers Birding Club, Allegheny County Parks, Versailles Borough, Tri-COG Land Bank, Wild Excellence Films, and the Jordan Foundation.

Year: 2019 Project Title: Using Goats in City Parks for Invasive Plant Management and Landscape Restoration   Grantee: Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy Project Description: Use innovative methods to target invasive plants on three acres in the woodland of Frick Park as part of an integrated invasive plant management plan. Project  provides community members and students with educational programming focused on the negative impact of invasives, and opportunities for volunteer training and community science monitoring of plants and birds. Management guidelines are being developed and published to assist city and park managers considering similar programs elsewhere.

Year: 2018 Project Title: Enhancing Critical Bird Habitat at Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve Grantee: Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania Project Description: Restored five acres of forest through invasive species management and planting the native tree, shrub and perennials to improve breeding and migratory habitat for scarlet tanagers, wood thrushes, and associated species at Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve in Fox Chapel, Pennsylvania. Project resulted in the planting of 190 trees, 195 shrubs and 390 perennials and the removal of invasive species across five acres with the support of 205 volunteers through workshops and monitoring at nine locations in the reserve.

Year: 2015 Project Title: Habitat Restoration and Citizen Science Based Bird-Building Collision Monitoring and Reduction in Pittsburgh Grantee: Carnegie Institute Description: Project addressed two of the greatest threats to bird conservation: habitat loss and bird-building collisions. Restored mixed-hardwoods forests in a 434-acre suburban conservation area in McKeesport, PA, Dead Man’s Hollow Conservation Area (DMH). Fifty  volunteers planted 300 native seedlings and removed 14 invasive plant species identified in DMH management plan as posing a significant threat to native habitats. The project assisted homeowners with backyard habitat improvement at 100 homes and the installation of innovative window treatments to reduce bird-window collisions at 200 homes. Partners  engaged citizens in monitoring bird-building collisions throughout Allegheny County and at 100 residential homes. Hosted multiple Centennial Migratory Bird Treaty Celebrations culminating with an Urban Bird Treaty partnership for Pittsburgh.

Portland, Oregon

Year: 2023 Project Title: Aves Compartidas and ECO Migratory Bird Education and Conservation Grantee: Cascade Pacific Resource Conservation and Development Description: Partners will provide relevant ecology education programs and work on schoolyard restoration with students in local Portland neighborhoods. The program will serve 255 3rd- 5th grade students and 9 teachers at Lent and Alder Elementary Schools in Outer East Portland. Students will learn and work in their classrooms and school grounds, with education teams, to determine how watershed health, habitat restoration, climate change, and bird migration are intertwined. They will participate in hands-on bird games and habitat activities, as well as stewardship restoration projects to better connect ecological concepts to the effects they can have on their communities. 

Year: 2021 Project Title: Community-Engaged Bird Safety in the Portland Metro Grantee: Portland Audubon, Portland, OR Partners: Portland State University, Clean Water Services, Multnomah County, City of Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability, American Bird Conservancy, Rose City Astronomers, Architects, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Description: This project will promote the Bird Safe City work in the Portland Metropolitan Region and other cities in Oregon and Washington. It will coordinate with the cities to embed bird friendly building standards into their green building plans, integrate Bird Safe elements into community engagement habitat restoration projects with Clean Water Services and our Backyard Habitat Certification program and offer classes to architects and design professionals to raise awareness about bird safe building and lighting design.

Year: 2017 Project Title: Advancing bird-friendly building and lighting design in the Portland Oregon Metro area - Part II Grantee: Audubon Society of Portland Description: Built awareness and educated city decision-makers and managers, relevant professionals, as well as members of the public to take actions to minimize bird collision hazards in the Portland Oregon metropolitan region. This goal was accomplished through six strategies: 1) Outreach to professionals to raise awareness about bird-safe building and lighting design; 2) Outreach to local governments to raise awareness about bird-safe building and  lighting design and integration of best practices into the built landscape; 3) Curriculum-based educational outreach to youth to build support for, understanding of, and engagement with these concepts; 4) Engaging events that raise general awareness of these issues among our local community and in the media; 5) High profile demonstration projects; and 6) Expanding programing to Audubon Portland’s Backyard Habitat Certification Program.

Year: 2015 Project Title: Bird-Friendly Portland Grantee: Audubon Society of Portland Description: Worked with a diverse coalition of agencies, schools, and private entities to carry out a two-year “Bird-Friendly Portland” campaign to raise awareness of migratory birds and the bird strike hazards they face in Portland Oregon's metropolitan region. Directly engaged 250 architects and developers by hosting 12 presentations and a final symposium about the design of bird safe buildings. Engaged building owners to join a Lights Out Program,  and developed bird-friendly building education curricula that was carried out at five Portland public schools, community centers, and camps. Conducted outreach to the public via two high-profile “bird-friendly” building demonstration projects: one in a high visibility area in downtown Portland where bird strike risk is relatively high along the Willamette River and the other in an local area of Portland to reach at least 1,500 local community members.

Providence, Rhode Island

Year: 2022 Project Title: Urban Tree Planting to Enhance Habitat and Communities Grantee: Groundwork Rhode Island Project Description:  This project will train 15 high school Green Team members to plant and water 200 trees and shrubs at 6-10 bird habitat demonstration sites totally 4 acres, in riverine neighborhoods. Partners will develop a bird-friendly planting guide to be used in planting 2,000 additional trees in a companion restoration project with other public and private funding. Partners will also develop a curriculum for local schools on bird habitat in urban settings, lead 8 school field trips to demonstration sites with 150 students and 9 teachers, and coordinate 8 volunteer planting events with 150 volunteers. They will install and promote up to 10 educational signs at demonstration areas, and distribute an urban bird habitat and bird watching brochure to 1,000 residents hosting newly planted trees in their yards.

Year: 2020 Project Title: Fish and Wildlife Conservation and Recreation in Urban Communities of Rhode Island Grantee: Partnership for Providence Parks Project Description: Restore 2 acres of habitat to promote conservation efforts of New England cottontail while reaching over 900 youth with schoolyard habitat implementation and outdoor programs. Project will engage more than 2,000 people throughout the state in outdoor experiences, including fishing and birding programs, and ensure students engage in learning outdoors utilizing public parks or schoolyard habitats.

Year: 2017 Project Title: Providence Urban Bird Treaty Grantee: Partnership for Providence Parks Description: Engaged the community in bird-focused recreation and restoration projects, enhanced environmental education opportunities for local youth, and increased awareness of and appreciation for migratory birds throughout the metropolitan area. Partners hosted 22 monthly bird walks, 2 bird banding programs, and educational opportunities for 21 teachers and more than 400 students through 2 Teacher Institute workshops. Afterschool programs and summer learning programs engaged studentsyouth in learning about local wildlife and the environment. Through the work of more than 2000 volunteers during two Annual Earth Day Celebrations and Clean Way on the Greenway events, habitat restoration and rejuvenation programs improved habitats for city inhabitants.

San Diego, California (not an UBT city)

Year: 2020 Project Title: Otay River Watershed Bird and Habitat Restoration Project Grantee: The Ocean Foundation Project Description: Restore 3 acres within the Otay River watershed, including mapping native and non-native plants, invasive plant species removal, litter abatement and native plant revegetation. Project will reach 700 students, 25 teachers, 50 parents and 10 volunteers in habitat restoration and environmental education, including classroom activities and outdoor excursions. (not an UBT city)

San Francisco, California

Year: 2021 Project Title: Sustainable Watersheds Action Teams Grantee: Earth Team, San Francisco Partners: East Bay Regional Parks District, Alameda County Resource Conservation District, Hayward Recreation and Parks, Four Public High Schools, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Cal EPA, Alameda County Fish and Wildlife Commission, FedEx, and Pacific Glass & Electric Description: This project will restore up to 100 acres of watershed and shoreline habitats in two major watersheds in the San Francisco East Bay their connected shorelines. Fifty-six local public high school students will be recruited to work and lead projects as paid environmental interns for one year, collaborating with seven project partners and four main restoration sites. Photo: Students restoring coastal scrub habitat in San Francisco / Golden Gate Audubon.

Seattle, Washington

Year: 2021 Project Title: Capitol Hill Connections, Phase 2 Grantee: Capitol Hill Housing Foundation, Seattle Partners: Capitol Hill EcoDistrict, Seattle Audubon, Seattle Parks and Recreation, Seattle City Light, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, and Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies Description: This project will work towards restoring approximately 60 acres of previously isolated pervious open/greenspace by engaging community volunteers to support the implementation of their Habitat Enhancement Guide, expanding the stewardship program at Cal Anderson Park, and engaging youth in a hands-on restoration education programs.

Year: 2019 Project Title: Improving Greenspace in Capitol Hill through Impairment Reduction Grantee: Seattle Audubon Project Description: Worked toward eliminating or significantly reducing herbicide and toxic rodenticide use at Cal Anderson Park. Project engaged and trained 50 community volunteers as park stewards to maintain the park without herbicides and created a vegetation plan for a habitat corridor that would link approximately 60 acres of currently isolated pervious greenspace to provide habitat for birds and opportunities for people to connect with nature.

Springfield, Massachusetts

Year: 2016 Project Title: Springfield Urban Bird Treaty Grantee: Regreen Springfield Description: Restored and improved habitat for resident and migratory birds to create a network of neighborhood habitat refuges, including the Renaissance Expeditionary School and STEM Middle School, and a wildlife demonstration garden at the Springfield Science Museum. Enabled students to participate in habitat restoration, curricula-based bird education, population monitoring, and bird conservation awareness. Enhanced delivery of the Smithsonian’s Neighborhood Nestwatch program, established a birding trail, incorporated interpretive signage and visitor infrastructure in local neighborhood parks, and employed youth through the Community Greening Steward Program.