Mandatory Criteria
The Bird Friendly City program established six criteria that are compulsory to even be considered a certified Bird Friendly City. See below to learn more about Calgary's fulfillment of these measures
Establishing a Bird Team
In November of 2020 the Calgary Bird Team was established with volunteer members representing local environmental organizations, the City of Calgary and citizens with an interest in supporting bird friendly activities
Indigenous Peoples, Land and Inclusion
The criterion: Provide evidence you have determined in which Indigenous traditional territory(ies) your municipality occurs and that you are encouraging the participation and perspective of the local Indigenous community in the initiative.
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Calgary's fulfillment of this criteria: We honour and acknowledge the traditional Treaty 7 territory and oral practices of the Blackfoot confederacy: Kainai-Blood Tribe, Siksika, Peigan-Piikani and Aamskapi Pikuni, as well as the Îyâxe Nakoda and Tsuut’ina nations. We acknowledge that this territory is home to the Métis Nation of Alberta, Districts 5 and 6 within the historical Northwest Métis homeland.
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It was apparent early on that that inclusion and diversity were sincere priorities common with each member of Bird Friendly Calgary. Outreach to date includes: Blackfoot Confederacy Tribal Council, Blood Tribe Land Management, Land Needs Guardians, Tsuut'ina First Nation and Îyâxe Nakoda First Nation. We are grateful for representation of Blood Tribe Land Management and Siksika members on our team. Further invitations and collaboration will be sought for a more diverse representation, especially as we learn of more contacts who have interest in birds, wildlife and ecology. We begin each meeting with a Land Acknowledgment. We also successfully obtained funding (from Nature Canada) and hosted two Indigenous focused learning events. We carry out these important efforts not because they are a requirement on this application, but because of the values held by the team itself.
Black-capped Chickadee - S. Jordan-McLachlan
Formal Municipal Support
The criterion: Pass a council resolution nominating/ supporting your municipality’s efforts to be a Bird Friendly City OR a letter of support from a high ranking city official
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How it is met in Calgary: The Bird Friendly Certification efforts were proudly supported by former Mayor Naheed Nenshi and council in 2021. Current Mayor, Jyoti Gondek and council continue to support our efforts. Council supported our recent Official City Bird vote and officially designated the Black-capped Chickadee as our official bird in June 2022.
Annual Report
The criterion: Once your municipality has been accorded Bird City Status, the Bird Team must provide an annual report card on activities related to your Bird City status.
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To fulfill this requirement: Calgary is continually in contact with Nature Canada and submitting annual updates on our continued efforts.
Northern Flickers - S. Jordan-McLachlan
City Website
The criterion: Include information about Bird Friendly City on the City website somewhere it can be easily found.
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How this criteria is met: Along with the Official Bird Vote, information about our Bird Friendly City efforts is on the City of Calgary's engage page
Renewal
The criterion: Complete a renewal application as required every 2 years to keep your status as “active.”
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Calgary was certified at Entry level in 2021 and was upgraded to Intermediate level with our 2023 reapplication. The next mandatory recertification effort will take place in 2025.
Horned Grebes - S. Jordan-McLachlan