FAQ

• Who can apply to be a Bird City?
• How long does Bird City Texas certification last? Do I have to apply every year?
• Do criteria have to be met before or after an application is submitted?
• What is the Criteria Action Guideline document?
• How and when do I renew?
• Where can I get help with the application process?
• Can actions or events completed by non-governmental entities count toward meeting the criteria?
• What are 3 tips to give clear and concise answers to the criteria actions? Any examples to look at?
• What are supporting documents?
• What recognition do certified communities receive?
• How will managing for bird conservation and bird friendly cities have value for my community?

Who can apply to be a Bird City?

Cities, villages, or towns, communities of all sizes are encouraged to apply. However, entities such as homeowner's associations will not be able to fulfill the intensive criteria required to earn Bird City Texas recognition.

How long does Bird City Texas certification last? Do I have to apply every year?

Certification is issued for a three-year period. Annually, certified cities will provide updates with a Year in Review tile card. In the third certified year, communities can renew to maintain their Bird City status. Program sponsors will visit certified cities within their certification period to check in and provide support. Bird City status may be revoked by program sponsors for failure to accomplish required actions, failure to maintain minimum levels of activity within a certification period, or anytime for major actions or policy changes that negatively and severely impact birds or bird habitat.

Do criteria have to be met before or after an application is submitted?

Recognition is based on what communities have already completed during their application period. Certain criteria with a ✝ can have been completed at any time before the application was submitted. Please reference the key when looking at the criteria list in Apply/Renew. The 18 months prior to July of the year in which you are applying will be considered for all other activities. For example, if the application period ends in July 2026, the 18-month application period would be from January 2025 through June 2026.

What is the Criteria Action Guideline document?

The Criteria Action Guideline document in the resource folder recommends qualifications and expectations for each action. This gives us a baseline standard to use when grading and reviewing cities.

If you have any concerns, please reach out to birdcitytexas@audubon.org.

How and when do I renew?

In the third year of your certification period, you will renew by updating your narrative online and include your Letter of Support from the governing body of your community by June 1. At this point, your city may apply for High Flyer or switch actions, as long as you have completed the actions and are meeting the minimum amount. Once reviewed and accepted by the team, renewed cities will have the option to share their highlights at the end-of-year celebration in November.

Can actions or events completed by non-governmental entities count toward meeting the criteria?

Yes! We encourage local governments to form partnerships with community organizations, schools, and local businesses to meet the Bird City Texas goals. Many hands make light work - it is also recommended that many partners help in filling out the application and submitting what they have done to fulfill the requirements.

What are 3 tips to give clear and concise answers to the criteria actions? Any examples to look at?

First, each action in the application and word choice is intentional. Second, please check the Guideline document to get a sense of what we are looking for. Third, check out what current certified cities have submitted/done by reviewing their accomplishments. We are here to help you. Our biggest recommendation is to avoid fluff and reach out if you have any questions. We also have real examples with annotations. Check out an example of a passing and non-passing answer to a criteria action.

What are supporting documents?

This includes photos, flyers, management plans, etc. Anything that provides further evidence of your work for the criteria. It's recommended to add at least one supporting document for each action.

How will managing for bird conservation and bird friendly cities have value for my community?

We can conserve land and water and have a strong economy at the same time. In fact, natural areas and the birds using them generate an economic premium. Here are some examples from recent studies of the economic data and statistics supporting the value of bird conservation to communities, local residents, and public health:

• Increase property values: Protected habitat, and the birds using it, enhances property values. Texas Tech University researchers found that the presence of birds and greenspace increased property values as much as $32,000. More bird species in an area meant higher property values. Even the presence of a single uncommon species yielded higher prices. Researchers in Massachusetts found that property located even slightly closer to a popular bird-watching spot also generated a significant property value premium.
• Annual budgetary savings: Well-managed wildlife habitat provides environmental services to communities that can result in cost savings. In 2024, the Kittatinny Ridge Conservation Landscape in Pennsylvania completed a Return on Environment Study for Berks County. The study demonstrates how open space greatly contributes to the health of the local economy, as well as to a lower cost of living and improved quality of life for citizens. These values include: $853 million annual cost savings benefits provided by nature, $938 million annual outdoor recreation revenue, $127 million annual savings due to healthy riparian areas, and $134 million annual savings in reduced healthcare costs.
• Overall economic value: According to the North American Bird Conservation Initiative (NABCI) Relevancy Toolkit, birds and bird conservation are linked to economic benefits. For example, birdwatching generates almost $100 billion in economic impacts, as more than 45 million people in the U.S. participate in this activity. This brings revenue to cities via hotel stays and purchases at sporting goods stores, gas stations, and other local businesses. Additionally, parks and wildlife refuges can be good for birds and property values. One study showed that the presence of birds and green space can increase property values by up to $32,000.
• Insect and rodent control: Rodents and insects carry diseases or hosts that transmit illnesses to humans and other wildlife. Insectivorous birds, hawks, and other birds of prey help keep a number of human diseases in check by consuming rodents or insects. It is estimated that insectivorous bird species consume between 400 and 500 million metric tons of insects per year, and that one family of barn owls and similarly sized raptors consume up to 3,400 rodents per year.
• Tourism value: Recent studies show that approximately 4.4 million Texans are wildlife viewers, including 2.2 million birdwatchers, and they generate $1.8 billion dollars in economic impact for Texas.
• Value to children: Research shows that when children learn and play with nature, they are healthier, both mentally and physically, perform better in school, have higher self-esteem and self-confidence, are more cooperative with others, more creative, better problem solvers, feel more connected with nature, and will be tomorrow's conservation leaders.