Urban Bird Treaty
The tasks to be performed under this agreement are as follows:1. Print Pocket Guides to Backyard Birds of the Front Range; 2. Partially fund a stationary bird banding station to be used by Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory (RMBO) and Audubon Society of Greater Denver as an outreach tool about bird migration and why birds matter; 3. Develop five interpretive panels to highlight migratory birds with a message of ¿Why Birds Matter.¿ The panels would include mounting systems and be located along the South Platte River, City Park or Sloan¿s Lake, RMBO, Sand Creek Greenway, and Rocky Mountain Arsenal NWR; 4. Enhance and restore land on an island off of Sloan¿s Lake Duck Point, which will attract several species of migratory birds. The project would include planting native vegetation including wetland species on the island and shore edges totaling approximately 1.8 acres, and 8 nesting boxes for ducks and other species will be installed. This urban park will provide good bird viewing and educational opportunities for the public. Partnering agencies include City and County of Denver, Groundwork Denver, Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory, and Denver Audubon. Restoration specifics include: Conducting noxious weed management of invasive herbaceous species; Remove non-native trees on the island; Plant native trees and shrubs on the island along with native grasses and forbs; including similar species to existing native vegetation and add others to increase diversity and habitat values; Plant native shrubs in groupings scattered on the island and along the shoreline to provide diversity along with food and shelter for birds; Install wetland plants on the shoreline to enhance habitat; Install geese protection after fall seeding until habitat is established; Install 8 nesting boxes for ducks and other birds. Bus transportation and program fees for metro area elementary school children to take environmental education field trips to Barr Lake State Park through RMBO. Environmental education programs focus on birds and their habitats as well as land conservation. 5. Create a Denver Metropolitan Area Bird App. This app will provide users (visitors and locals) with a map of urban birding areas in the Denver metropolitan area with emphasis on parks and trails that connect urban areas to downtown Denver. This app will also highlight the habitat and species that may be found at each location. This information will correlate with interpretive signage described above that will be located in urban parks, along the South Platte River trail, at RMBO and the Refuge. 6. Restore a portion of the South Platte River¿s west bank between 15th and 19th Avenue between Confluence and Cuernavaca Park in downtown Denver. Improvements include weed control, removing invasive trees, planting native shrubs, trees, and riparian forbs. Urban Drainage and Flood Control will partner with the City and County of Denver on the project. 7. Highlight the national Lights Out campaign to reduce light disturbance at commercial and residential buildings in urban areas by funding outreach programs, social media, and paid advertising. 8. Install an eBird Trail Tracker kiosk at Rocky Mountain Arsenal NWR so visitors can input bird sightings as well as learn about recent sightings in the urban metro area.
Office: U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE
cindy_souders@fws.gov
