Decatur commission adopts Bird City resolution, cites habitat and volunteer partners

The City Commission voted to adopt a resolution supporting an application for Bird City designation, making Decatur the first city in Georgia to pursue the program if accepted.

Allison Erickson, Decatur’s urban naturalist, told the commission Bird City began in Wisconsin in 2009 and by 2021 had spread across the U.S. and Canada. Erickson said Decatur and partner organizations already carry out many actions Bird City requires — invasive plant removal, native plantings, stormwater green infrastructure, pollinator gardens and monitoring programs such as Project Safe Flight, which surveys window collisions.

"Decatur already has the projects, the partnerships, and the momentum," Erickson said, and recommended adoption of resolution R‑25‑XX to move the application forward. Erickson noted the initial application fee is $200 and subsequent biennial renewals are also $200.

Supporters said designation would bring signage, a kickoff event and publicity from Birds Georgia and the national Bird City network, and could draw state‑level conservation funding and philanthropic attention. Mayor Patty Garrett and commissioners unanimously approved the measure by voice vote.

The commission also received public and staff comments about next steps and partner roles; staff said signage and outreach would accompany the designation if approved and that the program would provide educational and habitat‑protection benefits in concert with existing Decatur initiatives.