Bird City Michigan – A Statewide Movement Connecting Birds and People

Launched by Michigan Audubon in 2025, Bird City Michigan is gaining momentum across the state, bringing together communities, campuses, businesses, conservation organizations, and residents around a shared commitment to creating bird-friendly places where both people and wildlife can thrive. The program perfectly aligns with Michigan Audubon’s mission to connect birds and people through conservation, education, and research.

While recognizing communities engaged in habitat improvements and conservation remains central to the program, Bird City Michigan is equally about promoting educational programs, community events, volunteer activities, and bird-focused initiatives for residents and visitors. Bird City Michigan also helps communities tap into the nature tourism market by positioning their area as a premier birding destination.

Why This Matters

• Michigan is home to 466 documented bird species, many of which are facing steep declines. Communities can make a real difference by creating healthier habitats and reducing everyday threats.
• Bird City Michigan will introduce more people to birding, inspiring lifelong connections with the feathered friends who share our world.
• Michigan Audubon is gathering data through the Bird City Michigan program to demonstrate Michigan’s importance as an avian center of conservation, education, and ecotourism.

What is a Bird City Michigan Community

Bird City Michigan recognizes villages, cities, townships, counties, and campuses taking real action to make life better for birds – and for all of us. From planting native trees and flowers to reducing threats like window collisions, communities earn the Bird City Michigan designation by showing progress in four key categories.

Celebrating Bird City Michigan Communities

Collaboration is Key

Collaboration among municipalities, conservation organizations, and birding and nature clubs is central to the program’s success. These Michigan Audubon chapters have stepped up to help communities become Bird Cities:

AuSable Valley Audubon, Capital Area Audubon Society, Copper Country Bird Club, Oakland Bird Alliance, Thunder Bay Audubon Society, and Washtenaw Bird & Nature Alliance.

As the Bird City Michigan network continues to grow, so does Michigan’s reputation as a place where conservation, community engagement, and bird-focused recreation come together.

With Gratitude

Thank you to the following:

Bird City Network

Bird City Michigan is a part of Bird City Network, an international program led by American Bird Conservancy and Environment for the Americas. Bird City Network supports almost 300 communities in four countries that are working to become healthier for both birds and people.

Contact [email protected] to learn more.

Featured Image: Oakland County Parks Commission and Oakland Bird Alliance Celebrating their Bird City Michigan Status

Bird City Michigan in the News