Wisconsin Rapids became a Bird City in 2013 and attained High Flyer status the following year. Over 100 Wisconsin municipalities have become a Bird City since its inception in 2009. The mission of the program: “To encourage all communities in Wisconsin to implement sound bird conservation practices by offering public recognition to those that succeed in (a) enhancing the environment for birds and (b) educating the public about the interactions between birds and people and about the contributions birds make to a healthy community.” Some ways Wisconsin Rapids has met the mission include:
Planting pollinator and bird friendly prairies along the expressway, a prairie behind Lincoln High School known as the Woodlot Project and a rain garden at City Hall
Promoting birding as a tourist highlight by our local convention and visitor’s bureau
Sponsoring the annual Prairie Chicken Festival
Providing the “Birds, Cats and You” brochure to South Wood County Human Society for inserts in the Cat Adoption folder
Recognizing our city for its participation in the Sol Smart program and other energy conservation efforts
Participating in the Christmas Bird Count
Celebrating World Migratory Bird Day at local festivals such as the Grand Affair
Bob Welch demonstrates bird banding.
