SAULT STE. MARIE -- The city has partnered with Algoma University’s CityStudio on a ‘Bird Friendly City' project to promote bird conservation and environmental stewardship — and to pick an official bird.
Starting today, CityStudio will be holding a ‘Bird Blitz’ to raise awareness on how the community can come together to create a more sustainable environment for birds to thrive.
“Providing hands-on opportunities to students to make a real difference in the community is one of the main goals of Algoma University’s CityStudio,” said Erin Riley, assistant, careers and experiential education.
“We are thrilled to support environmental science intern Roxane Bergeron as she takes the lead on this project to bring together our community and campus in increasing awareness and protection for local birds.”
Events include a virtual photo contest for Algoma University students and a birding tour of Whitefish Island on March 28 led by the executive director of The Kensington Conservancy, Carter Dorscht.
Residents are also being invited to vote in an online poll to pick Sault Ste. Marie’s official bird.
There are six options: the pileated woodpecker, the black-capped chickadee, the red-breasted nuthatch, the common raven, the yellow-rumped warbler and the blue jay.
“The City of Sault Ste. Marie in partnership with CityStudio have worked with multiple community stakeholders to compile local actions to reduce threats to birds as part of an application to Nature Canada’s Bird Friendly City program”, said Sault Ste. Marie sustainability coordinator, Emily Cormier.
“The Bird Blitz is a great way for students to support the application and an ongoing commitment to support bird populations in our community.”
