Newtown Passes "Year of the Bird" Proclamation

Newtown Township has been a designated bird town community for many years, regularly sponsoring events to promote conservation. In 2019 the Newtown Environmental Action Council (EAC Definition) and the Pennsylvania Audubon’s Society will be jointly developing and implementing a new program promoting the use of native plants to support bird population.

At the November 28, 2018, Board of Supervisors meeting, a plaque was presented to George Skladany, member of the EAC, to commemorate 2018 as the hundredth anniversary of the signing of the Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act, protecting migratory birds for many decades.

The Township also passed the “Year of the Bird” Proclamation, which states:

Whereas, Birds symbolize nature’s interconnectedness and the importance of caring for our shared planet; and

Whereas, Birds are important for pollination, pest control, rodent control, seed propagation, weed control, nutrient recycling, and beauty; and bird watching is beneficial to mental health; and

Whereas, Each spring and fall hundreds of thousands of migratory songbirds fly through Newtown Township and are sited at Tyler State Park, Clark Nature Center, and Hidden Lake; and are counted by local bird watchers; and

Whereas, Over 160 species of birds are recorded in Newtown Township and many of these migrate through or are residents of the township that they use for food and shelter; and

Whereas, Six species of birds that are listed on the Conservation Network as “Birds of Concern,” in need of conservation actions, are recorded in Newtown Township including American Kestrel, Wood Thrush, Canada Warbler, Willow Flycatcher, Black‐throated Blue Warbler, and American Woodcock; and

Whereas, Birding Activities bring people into Newtown Township and aid the economy, an example of where birds thrive – people prosper; and

Whereas, Climate change is the number one threat to birds; and

Whereas, 2018 is the centennial year of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act which protects birds in our backyards, like the Wood Thrush and Eastern Towhee; and

Whereas, 2018 also marks the beginning of the next 100 years where we will continue to protect birds and the places they need.

SO PROCLAIMED, We, the Newtown Township Board of Supervisors, by virtue of the authority vested therein, do hereby proclaim 2018 the Year of the Bird and urge all citizens to take due note of the observance and to support the spirit of this proclamation for years to come.

Posted on 27 Dec 2018, 13:08 - Category: Environment