Pride in Iowa's communities for maintaining healthy ecosystems for ourselves and our birds.
Golden-crowned Kinglet © T. J. Dunkerton
Indigo Bunting © T. J. Dunkerton
Fox Sparrow © T. J. Dunkerton
Cedar Waxwing © T. J. Dunkerton
Baltimore Oriole © T. J. Dunkerton
American Goldfinch © T. J. Dunkerton
"Birds matter because they give us wings. And because if we save the birds, we will save the world." Pepper Trail, USFWS forensic ornithologist
Community progress and an improved environment are not mutually exclusive. Many improvements can be accomplished with little expense and can be fun for local adoption.
Birders enjoy their recreation where there are birds and they spend money in local communities - gas, food, and lodging. Why not have them spend it in yours?
Check our resource library for materials on landscaping, nest boxes, and threat mitigation strategies to help birds.
Any municipality in the state of Iowa is eligible to apply for Bird Friendly Iowa designation.
Study the criteria to be met for designation and select some for your focus. Note that the second group requirements are based on your city population.
What you need to organize and submit for designation as a Bird Friendly City.
Identify the criteria you meet in each category and demonstrate what you are doing as a city to meet each one.
Finalizing and submitting your application to be a Bird Friendly City
Renew your certification annually to demonstrate on-going committment to bird conservation.
Strengthen your commitment to urban bird conservation through meeting additional criteria.
County Boards of Supervisors, working with their county conservation boards, are eligible to apply for county designation. This is a competitive process so meeting more than the minimum criteria will increase your chances.
Study the criteria to be met for designation and select some for your focus. The minimum number for each category must be described in your narrative.
What you need to organize and submit for designation as a Bird Friendly County.
Identify the criteria you meet in each category and demonstrate what you are doing as a county to meet each one.
Strengthen your commitment to bird conservation through meeting additional criteria.