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Council to seek Pennsylvania Audubon ‘Bird Town’ certification; program to engage residents and students
Summary
The borough discussed joining the Pennsylvania Audubon Bird Town program. Volunteers and a university professor said the borough already meets many criteria; certification costs $100 and would require a small volunteer committee and an annual update. West Chester University faculty offered to help with student outreach and bird walks.
Council heard a short presentation and moved the Audubon Bird Town resolution to consent, with residents and university faculty volunteering to support implementation.
"This will cost the borough $100 total forever," sustainability advisory committee member Connie McEvoy said, and she asked the council to authorize application for the program. She said the borough already meets many of the program’s criteria — limited pesticide use at borough parks, natural meadows at the landfill and school sites — and would qualify for certification with a small volunteer committee and an annual update to the Audubon program.
Nut graf: University professor Jenny Euling described existing student and campus bird walks and said students and faculty can contribute to outreach and education in schools and parks. The program offers free signs and resources to participating municipalities and provides recognition at multiple certification levels; participants may pursue bronze, silver or gold designations by expanding activities.
Council agreed to place the resolution on the consent agenda so staff can submit an application and the sustainability advisory committee and university volunteers can begin work on outreach and programming.
Ending: The applicant committee will formalize membership and return annual updates to the borough and the Audubon program.
