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Bird City committee in Big Rapids outlines program requirements and summer events
Summary
Committee members described the Bird City designation and its requirements, urged recognition of World Migratory Bird Day and outlined summer events including bird walks, a speaker program and Swift Night Out to engage residents of all skill levels.
A Bird City committee briefing in Big Rapids outlined how the community earned a Bird City designation and invited residents to participate in a series of upcoming birding events.
Committee member said the Bird City application lists more than 90 bird-friendly actions and that communities must complete at least 10 to qualify, spanning four categories: habitat, education, threats to birds and sustainability. “There are over 90 bird friendly, actions on the application, and we ask that a community complete at least 10 of those,” the committee member said.
Organizers said the designation is designed to both educate residents and make measurable improvements to local habitat. “Something like Bird City can help to educate people, help spread the word, but at the same time, provide an avenue to make improvements to habitats in our parks,” a committee member said.
The committee highlighted a required action to recognize World Migratory Bird Day. “World Migratory Bird Day happens in the spring and in the fall during the migration season and this year’s theme is every bird counts, your observations matter,” one committee member said, urging attendees to log sightings in eBird so researchers can track changes in bird populations and migration patterns.
Planned activities for the coming months include a morning bird walk and a guest speaker on the observance day, library programs for children and adults, a possible owl event in June, additional bird walks in June and July, and Swift Night Out in August. “We have sort of a work in progress for what we're gonna do in June and July. Maybe an owl event, certainly a bird walk, and then we're gonna do swift night out in August,” the presenter said, inviting residents to join regardless of experience level.
Participants emphasized that the effort depends on community volunteers supported by city maintenance and stewardship. One resident recounted a recent bird walk along the Muskegon River where a bald eagle perched within view: “right off on the the edge of the river along the Muskegon, bald eagle just perched up there, for everyone to just see,” the resident said, adding that such moments inspire people to take part.
Organizers said the committee is coordinating with local partners to offer intergenerational programming and education, and encouraged residents to attend events and log bird observations to support conservation work. The committee did not announce formal votes or funding decisions at the briefing.
The committee’s next steps include finalizing the event schedule for June through August and promoting volunteer participation and library-based programs.
