A. Comply with Wisconsin's "Smart Growth" law for land use planning and resource management. This criterion is an option only for applications submitted before July 1, 2017.
The City of Beaver Dam has adopted and approved a “Smart Growth” plan. They are currently in compliance with Wisconsin’s “Smart Growth” law for land use planning and resource management.
B. Describe organized bird monitoring or data obtained from researchers or volunteers in the local park system. (Exclusions: Programs that receive credit under 4C: Christmas Bird Count, Great Backyard Bird Count, Swift Night Out)
We encouraged community members to participate in the Christmas Bird Count and the Great Backyard Bird Count by sending email blasts to all of our patrons with the information as well as Facebook posts promoting these events.
F. Show that your community offers the public information on how they can control and remove invasive species in order to improve or maintain bird habitat.
The City of Beaver Dam offers information on the Emerald Ash Borer to the public through the Parks and Forestry Department and also links to additional information.
R. Show how your community aids a local youth group (e.g., Boy Scouts of America, Girl Scouts of USA, 4-H Club, etc.) or conservation group in bird conservation projects (e.g., bluebird trail, habitat restoration, Wood Duck nest boxes, etc.).
Our department donates bluebird houses and wood duck nest boxes built by volunteers.to organizations such as Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, 4-H Clubs and other conservation groups interested in conducting bird conservation projects. We also donate these items to conservation clubs for fundraising events each year, with strong interest in these items from event participants.
V. OTHER: Demonstrate in a narrative.
The City erected six North American Bluebird Society (NABS) boxes on Distribution Drive which are monitored for songbirds by Jack Bartholmai as a part of the project.
Community Forest Management
A. Demonstrate that your community has been awarded Tree City USA status by the National Arbor Day Foundation.
Beaver Dam continues to be recognized as a Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation following its initial award in 1991.
Limiting or Removing Threats to Birds
A. Describe your community’s educational program to control free-roaming cats and/or the manner in which you actively publicize the Cats Indoors! initiative.
In accordance with Beaver Dam city ordinance Sec. 10-24: animals are not to run at large and also institutes a leash law requiring cats to be leashed or restrained at all times.
B. Demonstrate that your community provides property owners with information on how to protect birds from window strikes (e.g., online links, brochures).
The City of Beaver Dam’s website contains a link to the Bird City Wisconsin Website by clicking on the Bird City logo.
Beaver Dam is represented in the Great Backyard Bird Count annually. Beaver Dam residents are encouraged to participate in the event each year by making notices and those that do participate are vigilant in posting data on the GBBC website for Dodge County sightings. For information on getting involved consult their website.
H. Document a substantial regular program that educates young people on any of the following topics: climate change, energy efficiency, green/bird-safe buildings, or environmental sustainability.
Making Beaver Dam Sustainable. Archan Schramek, Co-founder. Archan Schramek is a member of the Cliimate Reality Leadership Corps, trained in 2015 by Vice President Al Gore, founder and Charman of the Climate Reality Project whose mission is to educate people about the causes, effects, and solutions to climate change, and effect change to stop it. She was a mentor with a group of new climate leader trainees in Minneapolis in 2019. Archan also served on the Energy Committee for the City of Beaver Dam as they prepared to join the 25 x 25 Campaign to reduce their energy use and increase their renewable energy use by 25% by 2025. She has been a member of Beaver Dam's Earth Day committee for several years and has organized downtown exhibitions of Earth Day posters done by students who have experienced her presentation in greater depth. She has done many presentations for schools and community groups on the topic of climate change and sustainable development. Archan presented a virtual workshop for our department as part of her work in 2022.
The City of Beaver Dam has adopted goals to become an energy independent community. Click this link for more information.
World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD)
A. This community's municipal body passed the required World Migratory Bird Day resolution.
B. Document and describe your event that incorporates the annual IMBD theme in some fashion. If the event has not yet occurred, please share your detailed plans. For information on the current year’s theme and event materials, please visit the World Migratory Bird Day website. To see what other Bird City communities have done in the past, please view some other profiles on our website.
We partnered with the Horicon Marsh Education and Visitor Center and Marsh Haven Nature Center to host virtual and in-person programs focused on birds. We also encouraged residents to participate in the Great Backyard Bird Count and Christmas Bird Count by promoting the activities on social media and through email blasts to thousands of people in our database. We will continue to partner with the Horicon Marsh Education and Visitor Center and Marsh Haven to host virtual programs and will promote the Great Backyard Bird Count and Christmas Bird Count in 2023.
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