Making our communities healthy for birds... and people
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)
Members from the Greenfield Pollinator Protection Committee volunteers continuously participate in bird counts throughout the year and submit data to Greenfield's three community eBird Hotspots. Links to Hotspots can be found here: https://www.ci.greenfield.wi.us/866/Bird-City-WI
E. Describe your community’s ordinance demonstrating that your community does not restrict natural/native landscaping that emphasizes native plants and non-turf lawns.
Greenfield recently revised the City's Noxious Weed Ordinance to allow for Naturally Managed Landscaping (follow hyperlink).
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.
From our Bird City, WI homepage, users can click this link to learn more about invasive species control.
I. Document a recent project that created or restored bird habitat in your community. (Exclusions: Bird feeders and small-scale artificial nesting structures)
In 2022, Greenfield began a restoration project in the City's most popular green space, Konkel Park. The Honey Creek Restoration project is an urban stream renewal project that will improve water quality, restore wetlands and enhance plant and animal habitat. The main channel, surrounding wetlands and flood retention pond will be planted with native vegetation, including trees, shrubs, wetland and upland grasses and wild flowers that will provide habitat, food and shelter for birds.
J. Show that a significant number of properties have been recognized as having bird-friendly yards (e.g., Yardmap/Habitat Network, National Wildlife Federation’s Backyard Certification Program).
The National Wildlife Federation reports that Greenfield, WI has 27 Backyard Certifications within the City Limits, as of 1/5/2023.
K. Implement a tree risk policy (see pg. 153) designed to leave dead trees standing as nesting and foraging resources for birds when it is safe to do so.
Greenfield's forestry policy is to leave dead trees standing in non-maintained park areas, along waterways and woodlots, as long as they do not pose a hazard to the public. Likewise, fallen trees are allowed to remain as habitat in those same sites.
L. Show that your community has restored at least two acres of woodlands, wetlands, or prairie.
In 2022, Greenfield broke ground on the Honey Creek Stream Restoration Project that will transition nearly 21 acres of Konkel Park from an area of invasive species to a restored wetland surrounded by native prairies and woodlands. More info at: https://thehoneycreek.org/
N. Show that your community works on public lands to control invasive species that have significant negative impacts on bird habitat.
On an ongoing basis, Greenfield works to control invasive species, including buckthorn removal, on public properties. Please reference a recent invasive species removal effort from 2022.
O. Document a program to support the establishment of natural lawns and native landscaping, possibly including public presentations of Audubon’s Plants for Birds Initiative (contact them for a presentation kit).
In 2022, Greenfield was the first Milwaukee County munipality to promote "No Mow May" which encouraged residents to mow less in order to ensure pollinators, like bees, butterflies and birds, have an early spring source of food. The No Mow May outreach efforts included information on planting pollinator gardens and incorporating native landscaping in residents yards. More info:
www.ci.greenfield.wi.us/1441/No-Mow-May
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.).
In 2020, the Greenfield Pollinator Protection Committee installed a wood duck nest box at the north pond in Kulwicki Park. In late 2022, the committee installed a second wood duck nest box in the south pond at Kulwicki, and also erected perching logs for wood ducks and green herons. Photos below:
https://www.ci.greenfield.wi.us/ImageRepository/Document?documentID=5240
https://www.ci.greenfield.wi.us/ImageRepository/Document?documentID=6483
https://www.ci.greenfield.wi.us/ImageRepository/Document?documentID=6486
T. Document that your community maintains a birding trail or hot spot location with educational signage and/or literature. (Note: A birding hotspot alone is not sufficient - your community must actively promote birding and public education at the site itself.)
In partnership with Wild Birds Unlimited (WBU), Greenfield has created the area's first eBird Hotspot at Kulwicki Park. This hotspot is adjacent to our Pollinator Habitat site and is extensively promoted by both WBU and the City. The Hotspot is promoted at the WBU store, local events, on our website and social media platforms. The City has raised donated funds for the creation and installation of educational/interpretive signage at this site that will provide information on native plants and wildlife, including birds. The sign will be installed spring of 2023: https://www.ci.greenfield.wi.us/ImageRepository/Document?documentID=6484
U. Show that your community maximizes the value of right-of-way space (e.g., power lines, pipelines, etc.) by planting them with native grasses, shrubs, herbs, and other prairie/grassland plants.
In 2021. the City of Greenfield, in partnership with American Transmission Company, installed a Pollinator Habitat along the ATC utility corridor adjacent to Kulwicki Park. The .75 acre are was planted with low-growing, native plants (mesic mix) in the utility right-of-way. In 2023, the City has plans to enhance this habitat area with supplementory native flowers. Additionally, the City plans to plant native flowers, grasses and milkweed in the new Powerline Trail corridor that is located in ATC/We Energies right-of-way.
A. Demonstrate that your community has been awarded Tree City USA status by the National Arbor Day Foundation.
Greenfield has been recognized as a Tree City USA for 28 years (as of 2022). The City of Greenfield has the longest active Tree City "Growth Award" in Wisconsin. In 2023, Greenfield is also applying to be designated as a Tree City of the World. The Tree Cities of the World program is an international effort to recognise cities and towns committed to ensuring that their urban forests and trees are properly maintained, sustainably managed, and duly celebrated.
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 provides online resources on how to prevent bird strikes as links through Greenfield's website (Birds and Collisions) and through paper handouts at educational events. As a part of the City's 2022 World Migratory Bird Day event, free anti-bird strike window decals were given away.
F. Demonstrate that your community enforces an ordinance that requires domestic cats to be kept indoors, on a leash, or in an enclosure to prevent them from preying on birds and other wildlife and spreading disease.
Greenfield enforces an Animals at Large ordinance, requiring all pets to be leashed.
B. Provide web links or a community newsletter demonstrating that your community educates property owners on methods to create and enhance backyard habitat for birds.
Bird habit information for residents can be found at Greenfield's Bird City, WI page: https://www.ci.greenfield.wi.us/866/Bird-City-WI. Bird and pollinator habitat creation information is also shared regularly on social media and at in-person events. Residents can join the Greenfield Pollinator Protection Committee's email list and receive a newsletter about creating backyard habitat.
C. Demonstrate that your community is represented in at least one citizen science bird monitoring program (e.g., the Christmas Bird Count, Great Backyard Bird Count, Swift Night Out).
Members from the Greenfield Pollinator Protection Committee participated in the official 2022 Christmas Bird Count Konkel Park eBird Hotspot, hosted by Wehr Nature Center. Record of the bird count can be found here: https://ebird.org/checklist/S124210914
F. Demonstrate that your community understands the critical ecological role of pollinators by documenting your Bee City USA status or by describing another substantial effort to promote pollinator health (for ideas visit the Xerxes Society and the Pollinator Partnership).
Greenfield also proudly carries the distinctions of being a Bee City and Monarch City, USA (please click on hyperlinks for designation information).
G. Provide a link to your community’s Bird City Wisconsin webpage, which must be visible from the main page of your municipal website (it may be located at the first level of a drop down menu on the main page but cannot be any less visible) OR demonstrate that your Bird City effort has a significant social media presence.
Greenfield's Bird City, WI initiative is part of our larger commitment to protecting all pollinators. The Bird City page can be found as a first level drop down from the main "Community" menu and is also part of our Pollinator Friendly Community page. It has received significant traffic since it has been launched, through the City's Facebook and Nextdoor accounts and it has been highlighted on our Latest City News page. Please follow the link for more info:
https://www.ci.greenfield.wi.us/866/Bird-City-WI
I. Show that your municipality promotes and supports a bird club or other environmentally/ecologically-minded club. (Exclusions: Garden clubs, unless you demonstrate a strong focus on native plants)
Greenfield supports a Pollinator Protection Committee that consists of two City staff members (including the City Forester) and 10-12 volunteers who live, work or play in the community. (follow the hyperlink for more info)
B. Show that your community goes above and beyond in its support for, and implementation of, green transportation (e.g., bike trails, rideshare programs, bike trails/lanes, etc.). Be sure to utilize the narrative to illustrate why your community is exceptional because standard practice will not receive credit.
The City of Greenfield is dedicated to implementing green transportation for both the environmental health of our lands and the physical health of our residents. Recently, Greenfield received the Silver Level for the Wisconsin Healthy Communities Designation program. As background, this program is intended to recognize local communities’ efforts to improve health according to six guiding principles. This designation, in part, was supported by Greenfield’s implementation of green transportation infrastructure throughout the community. Greenfield seeks to proactively improve bike and pedestrian accommodations and to incorporate active transportation for off road multi-modal recreation as well as utilitarian travel. The first phase of The Powerline Trail, a significant pedestrian trail project, was completed in 2022. The Powerline Trail is a major shared-use path spanning a WE-Energies/ATC utility corridor that will provide opportunities for physical activity and connect users to parks, the existing Milwaukee County Oak Leaf Trail system and at both ends will provide access to other trails, bike lanes, sidewalk and bicycle boulevards. The second phase of the Powerline Trail is planned to be constructed in 2024. It begins with a connection to the Powerline Trail Phase 1 at 60th St. It extends east within the WE Energies power line corridor to 35th St, where it enters Pond View Park. There is a connection to Zablocki Park at 40th St.
J. OTHER: Demonstrate in a narrative.
The City of Greenfield is dedicated to environmental education and outreach and encourages residents to participate however they are able in order to reduce emissions, mitigate pollution and clean our water. In 2022, the City hosted its first annual Forestry & Nature Fest, that was very well received. The festival included a raptor demenstration from Schlitz Audubon, face painting & crafts and Q&A with experts from the MKE Zoological Society, the WI DNR, Skeddadle Human Wildlife Control and other organizations. In addition to in-person outreach events, Greenfield's website also provides information on Environmental Initiatives happening throughout the community.
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.
Greenfield's WMBD was held in conjunction with the Greenfield Farmers Market and included bird education (specifically info about diming property lights for migration), a Q&A with the Milwaukee Zoological Society, humane property safety tactics with Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control, raffle prizes featuring certified bird-friendly products and anti-strike decals, a pollinator plant giveaway, bird face painting for kids, music and more.
https://www.ci.greenfield.wi.us/DocumentCenter/View/6489/WMBD_Flyer2
https://www.ci.greenfield.wi.us/DocumentCenter/View/6489/WMBD_Flyer2
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