Hartford Urban Bird Treaty
Rededication of Hartford Urban Bird Treaty creates a new agenda for conservation of the city’s birds
Two pairs of Eastern Bluebirds are nesting at Keney Park in Hartford. The Urban Bird Treaty will help bring Hartford residents closer to the city’s wildlife and natural areas. Photo by Brian Bennett.
May 19, 2023 — A coalition of federal and city officials along with statewide and local conservation groups renewed their commitment today to improving Hartford as a place for birds to thrive and for people to enjoy them.
Coalition members joined with city residents at Keney Park in Hartford to officially rededicate the Hartford Urban Bird Treaty.
A program of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Urban Bird Treaty is a national network that works to improve bird habitat in urban areas, and to help city residents experience and learn about birds and the natural world. The program has grown since its start in 1999 to include 30 cities.
The rededicated plan updates the original 2011 Hartford Urban Bird Treaty. It sets the stage for a new “bird agenda” for the city, following Service guidelines. The agenda will make recommendations that align with the three main goals of the Urban Bird Treaty program.
- Protect, restore, and enhance urban habitats for birds.
- Reduce urban hazards to birds.
- Educate and engage urban communities in caring about and conserving birds and their habitats
Service Acting Deputy Regional Director Scott Kahan said: “Working in cities to conserve migratory birds is critical in so many ways; by restoring habitat and reducing hazards we are not only benefitting birds and other wildlife, but also improving the health and well-being of families and children that live there. The City of Hartford is a shining example of how the Urban Bird Treaty program helps people recognize, enjoy, appreciate, and protect migratory birds and other wildlife right in their community.”
Connecticut Audubon Executive Director Patrick Comins said: “In a state like Connecticut with large urban areas, cities are especially important for birds. Cities have pockets of high-quality habitat and other places where habitat can be improved or created. We set a goal in our 2018 Connecticut State of the Birds report to work toward improving urban bird habitat. We are thrilled to be able to do that here in Hartford, in this important Urban Bird Treaty partnership.”
Henry Hester, co-chair of Friends of Keney Park, said: We are thrilled to announce the renewal of Hartford’s Urban Bird Treaty and proud to be partners with the next generation, putting youth at the forefront of our efforts. At Friends of Keney Park, we believe in building upon the present success of the Urban Bird Treaty and working together to protect our city’s wildlife. With this renewed commitment, we look forward to continuing our work to preserve and enhance the natural beauty of Keney Park and the greater Hartford community.”
Community First School Principal and Co-Founder Timothy Goodwin, who’s students hike in the park weekly said, “Our students have been monitoring birds and wildlife in the park for over two years and recently established a bluebird trail attracting two nesting pairs. Hands-on nature-centered learning out of doors in our own backyard helps our students connect to academic learning while establishing a sense of self. Our students and staff are ecstatic to attend the Urban Bird Treaty ceremony, and look forward to experiencing and learning more about the birds in our natural Hartford environment.”
Connecticut Public, the parent organization of WNPR Public Radio, is Connecticut Audubon’s official media sponsor of the Urban Bird Treaty rededication and of a series of events planned for summer. The renewal ceremony helped kick off Connecticut Audubon’s Annual Migration Madness weekend bird celebration and helped mark the organization’s 125th anniversary.
The updating and rededication of the Hartford Urban Bird Treaty is made possible by a generous gift from The Richard P. Garmany Fund at the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving.
The event at Keney Park was held during the peak of spring songbird migration. Connecticut Audubon’s 2018 Connecticut State of the Birds report, called “In Cities and Suburbs: A Fresh Look at How Birds Are Surviving in Connecticut,” noted that urban areas are extremely important for migrating birds, which need high quality habitat for resting and feeding as they build up energy to continue migrating and then breed.
The report identified Hartford as a prime location for the creation of more high-quality bird habitat.
As an example of the abundance and diversity of birds, observers within the last few weeks have seen Red-tailed Hawks, Northern Rough-winged Swallows, Eastern Bluebirds, and Savannah Sparrows among many other species at Keney Park. In fall, the park attracts migrating warblers, vireos, and other songbirds.
As part of the Urban Bird Treaty, Connecticut Audubon will hold at least four free programs in Hartford over the summer, at Keney Park, Colt Park, and elsewhere. Connecticut Audubon naturalists will lead bird walks and teach participants how to use binoculars and identify birds. Participants will also learn about the general natural history of the area and observe other wildlife and plants within the city parks.
Following each walk, there will be educational materials and activities available that will highlight the birds of Hartford as well as ways to access nature within the city.
Re-dedication of Hartford Urban Bird Treaty set for Friday, May 19, at Keney Park
May 12, 2023 — Join us at Keney Park in Hartford on Friday, May 19, for the official 2023 rededication of Hartford’s Urban Bird Treaty — a multi-organization plan to improve bird habitat in the city and offer more opportunities for city residents to learn about and enjoy birds.
The rededicated plan updates the original 2011 Hartford Urban Bird Treaty with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. It will help neighborhoods learn from, collaborate with, and care for the benefits of nature in city parks and along stream corridors.
The re-dedication ceremony is set for 10 a.m. at the Keney Park Pond House, 323 Edgewood Steet, Hartford.
Hartford Councilwoman Shirley Surgeon are scheduled to participate, along with officials from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Park Watershed, Friends of Keney Park, and the Connecticut Audubon Society.
Bird walks and other activities will follow, from 11 until noon. The day starts with an 8:30 a.m. bird walk led by the Hartford Audubon Society. Horizon Wings, a raptor rehabilitation center in Ashford, will be there with live birds starting around 10 a.m..
The ceremony and the activities are all free and the public is welcome.
Connecticut Public, the parent organization of WNPR Public Radio, is Connecticut Audubon’s official media sponsor of the Bird Treaty events on May 19 and later in the summer. The renewal ceremony kicks off Connecticut Audubon’s Annual Migration Madness weekend bird celebration and helps mark the organization’s 125th anniversary.
A program of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Urban Bird Treaty is a national network whose goal is to improve bird habitat in urban areas, and help city residents experience and learn about birds and the natural world.
Federal, state, and municipal agencies, along with non-profit and educational organizations, work together to create bird-friendly habitats and connect people with nature through birding and conservation.
The program has since grown to include 30 cities.
Renewing Hartford’s Urban Bird Treaty
Cities like Hartford encompass many areas that are important to birds. The renewal of the Urban Bird Treaty will improve local parks and also help city residents to learn about and enjoy the local bird life.
Connecticut’s bird lovers were electrified in 2020 when a Townsend’s Warbler showed up in Hartford. A western U.S. species, it had never been seen in Connecticut before and scores of birders convened in Hartford to look for it.
The Townsend’s Warbler highlighted just how important cities are for birds — not just rarities from the west but common species as well. Connecticut Audubon is now working with local partners in Hartford to help make sure the city’s parks continue to be great places for birds.
Hartford was designated an Urban Bird Treaty city in 2011. The designation is up for renewal and the Connecticut Audubon Society, Friends of Keney Park, and Park Watershed are collaborating on an update.
The result will be better habitat for birds throughout the city’s parks, and more chances for city residents to learn about and enjoy them.
The Urban Bird Treaty is a national network whose goal is to improve bird habitat in urban areas, and help city residents experience and learn about birds and the natural world.
It’s a program of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Federal, state, and municipal agencies, along with non-profit and educational organizations, work together to create bird-friendly habitats and connect people with nature through birding and conservation.
The program now includes 30 cities, and after more than a decade, Hartford’s agreement is up for renewal.
This Townsend’s Warbler in Hartford was the first state record for the species. Frank Mantlik photographed it on April 17, 2020. © Frank Mantlik
Goals
Hartford’s project got off to a great start in 2011. Its goals were to improve migratory bird habitat in city parks, cultivate public awareness and citizen science, and reduce migratory bird hazards.
Native shrubs were planted throughout Keney and Pope Park ponds. A “Plant Palette” brochure was created. Signs were erected to educate the community about native vegetation beneficial to migratory birds.
Trinity College Professor of Biology Dr. Joan Morrison (now emerita) studied how urban buildings are hazardous to migratory birds. She made recommendations to remedy these hazards, such as using reflective window film to reduce bird collisions, and minimizing both light pollution and the use of rodenticides.
The 2023 renewal is called Strengthening Connections: Hartford Urban Bird Treaty. Its goal is to help neighborhoods learn from, collaborate with, and care for the benefits of nature in city parks and along stream corridors.
Following 2020 U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service guidelines, the next “Bird Agenda” for the city will make recommendations that align with the three main goals of the Urban Bird Treaty program.
- Protect, restore, and enhance urban habitats for birds.
- Reduce urban hazards to birds.
- Educate and engage urban communities in caring about and conserving birds and their habitats
The official Urban Bird Treaty renewal will be held at a public event, tentatively set for May 19 at 10 a.m.
It will be a family event, with educational activities and bird walks along with the presentation and adoption of the new “Bird Agenda.” We anticipate participation from federal, state, and local officials.
Connecticut Audubon Society is also planning at least four free bird walks and programs in Keney Park, Colt Park and two others still to be determined.
A Connecticut Audubon naturalist will teach participants how to use binoculars and identify birds, and will lead a walk through the park. Participants will learn about birds, and also about the general natural history of the area, and observe other wildlife and plants within the city parks.
Educational materials and activities will be available about the birds of Hartford and where to find them.
