Westminster council adopts resolution designating city a Bird City

The Westminster Mayor and Common Council on March 10 adopted Resolution 25-04 designating the city a Bird City, a recognition administered by the Bird City Network and Bird City Maryland for communities that increase habitat for birds, reduce threats to birds, engage the public on bird-related issues and promote sustainability.

The vote followed a presentation by Maggie Koontz, who said she works at the health department, is a master naturalist and serves as vice president of the Carroll County Bird Club. "I am here tonight to encourage you to make Westminster the ninth bird city in Maryland," Koontz told the council, outlining how the Bird City designation recognizes work to increase bird habitat and reduce threats such as collisions, outdoor cats, light pollution and pesticides.

City Administrator Imholz explained the formal process for the designation and noted Bird City Maryland provides application guidance, recognition materials and a custom website for designees. "Bird city is a designation through the Bird City Network. This designation indicates that a community has been recognized for its work to increase bird habitat, reduce threats to birds, educate and engage people with bird related issues, and promote sustainability," Imholz said.

Koontz told councilmembers the application requires communities to complete certain actions across several categories: implement at least three general habitat-friendly actions, address at least one major threat to birds, provide at least one educational or engagement activity, promote sustainability, adopt a mobilization resolution and hold an annual World Migratory Bird Day event. She said Westminster already meets several requirements through work at city parks and past festival programming and proposed the city select a signature bird to help promote the designation.

Councilmembers asked questions about outreach and partnerships; Carvacci, Dayhoff and others praised the proposal. Councilmember Tony Kovacchi moved to approve the resolution; the motion was seconded by Councilmember Hoth. The council approved the resolution by voice vote; the meeting minutes record the ayes carrying the motion and the city announced Westminster as a Bird City.

The designation includes a public-facing element: Koontz said Bird City Maryland supplies signage and a website page to promote birding and related community events. She also noted the Bird City network supports events tied to World Migratory Bird Day; Koontz said Westminster held a World Migratory Bird Day activity at the Flower and Jazz Festival the previous year.

The council discussion and the formal adoption were recorded as a voice vote; the transcript does not list individual roll-call votes. The council indicated plans to work with the Bird Club and local partners to complete the online application, choose a signature bird and promote bird-friendly projects across the city.

The action concludes the agenda item; staff were asked to proceed with the application and follow up with council as needed.