Springfield becomes 28th city to sign Urban Bird Treaty

May 11, 2017 | G. Michael Dobbs
news@thereminder.com

Mayor Domenic Sarno signs the Urban Bird Treaty with Roxanne Bogart, the program’s coordinator, while David Bloniarz, president of Regreen Springfield looks on. Reminder Publications photo by G. Michael Dobbs

 

SPRINGFIELD – The city is  now the 28th city across the nation that is officially supportive of migratory birds.

On May 5, Mayor Domenic Sarno signed the Urban Bird Treaty City with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in a ceremony at the Museum of Science.

The Treaty gives $49,000 to Regreen Springfield for educational programming and bird habitat improvements in Van Horn and Forest Parks as well as the campus of the Springfield Museums. In the fall, students from Duggan High School will participate in monitoring wildlife and bird habitat at several city parks.

Roxanne Bogart, National Urban Bird Treaty program coordinator, signed the treaty along with Sarno. She noted that millions of migratory birds are making their way north through New England right now.

Springfield and the Connecticut River are important stopovers for these migrating birds.

“Springfield is vital to 350 species,” Bogart said.

She noted that Forest Park as well as Abby Brook Park are important area for the birds.

Sarno lauded David Bloniarz, the president of Regreen Springfield.  “I’d like to commend Dave Bloniarz – our very own ‘Euell Gibbons!’ for continuing to enhance, respect and educate our Springfield public on the synergies of nature and wildlife.”

Bloniarz said “The designation of Springfield as an Urban Bird Treaty City represents recognition of the collaborative efforts of a partnership that includes federal partners, the City of Springfield, the Springfield Science Museum and Regreen Springfield. The ceremonial signing of the treaty kickoff educational and habitat restoration efforts that will help protect and enhance sensitive natural areas in the city.”

Patrick Sullivan, executive director of the Department of Parks, Buildings and Recreation Management, said there is more than 3,000 acres of open space under the city’s control. He noted the city has had several efforts to assist animals such as migratory birds, with one of those an organic land care program. One half of the city’s turf is organically maintained with no harmful run-offs into the water supply.

Sullivan added there would be an additional conservation program announced in the fall.

“We will do our part to protect the migratory bird habitats,” Sullivan said.

Dr. Keith Nisbow, project leader for the U.S. Forest Service’s Urban Forests Environmental Quality and Human Health Research Unit, said, “I can’t express how impressed the Forest Service is to see this happen.”

Share this: