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Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-06) today introduced the Urban Bird Treaty Act to establish a federal grant to support conservation of birds and habitats in urban areas. The introduction comes a day ahead of World Migratory Bird Day. 

“Birds play an important role in our ecosystems and our everyday lives, and we all have an opportunity and a responsibility to make our communities safer places for birds and people to live together,” Dingell said. “Unfortunately, we have lost nearly 3 billion birds in the last 50 years, and we need to take serious action to address this crisis. The Urban Bird Treaty Act will provide federal funding to cities, community organizations, and other groups doing important work to restore bird habitat, and most importantly, educate communities about the small steps we can all take to protect bird populations for generations to come.”  

In North America, one in four breeding birds have been lost since 1970. The widespread loss and degradation of habitat is the biggest driver of bird population decline. Restoring bird habitat in urban areas can make a significant difference in conserving bird populations.

The Urban Bird Treaty Act would make $1,000,000 available annually through a competitive grant program to eligible entities, including Tribal, State, or municipal agencies, nongovernmental organizations, community groups, and academic institutions, to promote urban bird conservation. Specifically, the grant program aims to:

• protect, restore, or enhance urban habitats for birds, including through the control of invasive species and restoration of native plant species;
• reduce urban hazards to birds;
• educate and engage communities in scientific activities involving the monitoring of birds and the habitats of such birds in urban areas
  

The bill is endorsed by the National Audubon Society, the National Wildlife Federation, and the American Bird Conservancy. 

“Our urban areas are critical nesting and migration areas for birds,” said Felice Stadler, vice president of government affairs at the National Audubon Society. “We have lost 3 billion birds over the past 50 years due to habitat loss and other threats. Dedicated funding to conserve habitat in cities and towns and create bird-friendly communities is an essential part of reducing this decline and bending the bird curve. We know that when birds thrive, so do communities, including our urban communities. We thank Congresswoman Dingell for recognizing the role that urban areas play in bird conservation, and urge Congress to pass this bill swiftly. At a time when the health of our communities and biodiversity is threatened by a changing climate and habitat loss, investments like the Urban Bird Treaty program make a huge difference in creating a healthy future for all.”

 “As cities grow, it becomes increasingly important for them to offer healthy habitat and safe passage for birds,” said Corina Newsome, conservation scientist at the National Wildlife Federation. “For migrating birds, city parks and greenways offer places to feed and rest on their journeys, and many species rely on them year-round.  Representative Dingell’s Urban Bird Treaty Act will help conserve and restore these essential habitats, benefitting the birds and people who share these spaces.”

"Healthy cities are full of birds," said Brian Brooks, Vice President for Advocacy & Threats Programs at American Bird Conservancy. "We thank Representative Dingell for introducing the Urban Bird Treaty Act, which acknowledges the significant role birds play in urban ecosystems. This dedicated funding for habitat conservation, scientific research, and education will not only enhance bird populations but also strengthen the health and vitality of human communities across urban areas."