Kingston gets official bird-friendly status

The City received entry-level certification after receiving strong marks in their application.

The City of Kingston is officially a bird-friendly city.

It has received an entry-level bird-friendly city certification from Nature Canada.

To earn an entry-level status, applicants must achieve 50 percent of the points in three of the categories: threat reduction, habitat protection, restoration and climate resilience, and community reach and education.

According to a news release, Kingston’s application received strong marks, with both the habitat protection, restoration and climate resilience and community reach and education categories being only one mark shy of the high level of certification.  

The City established a 'bird team' comprised of community groups, environmental organizations, Indigenous representatives and local post-secondary institutions to collaborate on making Kingston bird-safe.

They also held an official city bird contest where two birds were chosen through community feedback: the crow and the cardinal.

Kingston's Director of Public Works and Solid Waste Karen Santucci says the certification reflects the City's commitment to protecting birds, giving them a safe space to flourish, and enhancing local biodiversity in Kingston.

Story by Ken Hashizume