Bird City Texas Grants Prestigious High-Flyer Status to Galveston for Bird Conservation

Bird City Network is excited to recognize Galveston as the first city in Texas to achieve the prestigious Bird City High-Flyer status. This Bird City Texas community is a collaboration between American Bird Conservancy (ABC), Galveston Island Nature Tourism Council, and other local partners that promotes bird conservation and creates healthier communities for both people and birds throughout Galveston Island.
“The Bird City Texas program is a statewide initiative by Audubon Texas and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department designed to encourage and recognize communities for their dedication to creating environments where wild birds prosper and people thrive,” said Sarah Belles, Co-manager of Bird City Texas Galveston and Gulf Coast Avian Ecologist for ABC. “Galveston went above and beyond the 27 required actions for High-Flyer-designated communities by achieving 37 total accomplishments benefiting birds and our local community. We're excited to set the gold standard for bird conservation in Texas and encourage communities across the country to join us in building the bird conservation movement, here and beyond.”
Designated as an official Bird City in 2021, Galveston earned the High-Flyer recognition by demonstrating excellence in four categories: community engagement, sustainability, habitat enhancement and protection, and creating safer spaces for birds. The city implemented numerous initiatives that contributed to its High-Flyer designation, including the restoration of coastal marshes and dunes, adoption of bird-friendly policies, and public awareness campaigns through various local events and festivals. Ongoing community actions such as reducing plastic pollution, window collision prevention, planting native plants, and keeping pet cats indoors all contributed to earning the prestigious title.
“Galveston is a special place because its unique location along the Central Flyway makes it a critical stopover for millions of migratory birds each year, including vulnerable species like the Piping Plover and Least Tern,” said Anna Deichmann, ABC's Gulf Coastal Program Director. “Bird City programs are not only a great example of conservation successes through collaboration between local government, communities, and organizations, but also show that the work to save birds can begin in our very own backyards.”
Bird City Network, an initiative by ABC and Environment for the Americas, works to unite independent Bird City programs across the Americas to foster innovation and connections by providing a platform for communities to collaborate and implement bird-friendly actions. Galveston's affirmation of its commitment to birds comes at a crucial time for the country's avian species as 3 billion birds have been lost since 1970, and shorebirds alone have declined by 33 percent in that time.
Bird City Network invites cities across the country to join the initiative and contribute to a larger effort to promote sustainability and biodiversity. Visit Bird City Texas for more information about the program and Galveston's High-Flyer status. To find a Bird City near you, visit the Bird City Network map.
Learn more about Bird City Network:
- Webinar: Bird City Network for Community Conservation »
- Q&A: What Does it Take to Become a Bird City? »
- Want Your Community to Become a Bird City? Here's What to Do »
- Searching for Inspiration for Your Bird City Application? Here Are 5 Ideas »
- Bird City Network Mobilizes Communities to Help Achieve ABC's Habitat Conservation Mission »
Visit ABC and partners' SPLASh program in Texas to learn how you can help restore coastal habitats for birds and create a cleaner environment by reducing trash pollution.
###
American Bird Conservancy (ABC) takes bold action to conserve wild birds and their habitats throughout the Americas. Inspired by the wonder of birds, we achieve lasting results for the bird species most in need while also benefiting human communities, biodiversity, and the planet's fragile climate. Our every action is underpinned by science, strengthened by partnerships, and rooted in the belief that diverse perspectives yield stronger results. Founded as a nonprofit organization in 1994, ABC remains committed to safeguarding birds for generations to come. Join us! Together, we can do more to ensure birds thrive.
Media Contact
Jordan Rutter
Director of Communications
media@abcbirds.org