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.
Horicon is 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)
Annually, the Horicon Marsh Bird Club, with volunteers, participates in the Great Backyard Bird Count and also the Christmas Bird Count. The Horicon Marsh Bird Club also has regularly scheulded field trips where they study the local bird population. In addition, Horicon is a subscribed member of the Bluebird Restoration Association of Wisconsin (BRAW) vowing to supply and maintain bluebird nesting sites. They monitored 16 nest boxes and reported that 35 Eastern Bluebird chicks had fledged.
D. Document that current municipal planning seeks to provide additional bird habitat.
Twenty-two Eastern Bluebird houses have been constructed and placed in suitable locations around the City of Horicon. An additional 16 houses are located on the Rock River Hills Golf Course.
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 Horicon Chamber of Commerce has placed a link on the Chamber website to the Department of Natural Resources webpage on Invasive Species where visitors can learn about invasive species and how to take action. Visitors on the Horicon Chamber of Commerce website are also encouraged to download the Invasive Plant Field Guide provided by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
G. Document that there is a segment of the Great Wisconsin Birding and Nature Trail or a designated Important Bird Area within or adjacent to your community.
The City of Horicon is located at the southern end of the world famous Horicon Marsh which is designated as a Wetland of International Importance and a Globally Important Birding area. A bevy of volunteerism, support and education is exchanged amongst the Department of Natural Resources, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the City of Horicon. Horicon Marsh offers an incredible number of programs and events year round for visitors of all ages. For more information and an event calendar consult their website.
H. Show that the local Chamber of Commerce or a similar group (e.g., an Audubon chapter, Wild Ones, etc.) takes an active role in the planning process for protecting and enlarging favorable bird habitat.
The Horicon Marsh Bird Club was organized in August, 1994, for the purpose of studying and sharing with others the rich bird life of the Horicon Marsh and eastern Wisconsin. Through regularly scheduled field trips, meetings and other activities members develop a better understanding and deeper appreciation of the diversity of birds and their important habitats.
Community Forest Management
A. Demonstrate that your community has been awarded Tree City USA status by the National Arbor Day Foundation.
The City of Horicon continues to be recognized as a Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation following its initial award in 1988 and is committed to furthering forest management within its community.
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.
The Horicon Chamber of Commerce provides a link on the Chamber website to the American Bird Conservancy's webpage detailing the Cats Indoors! initative. Visitors on the Chamber website are encouraged to learn more about the impact cats have on the bird population.
Public Education
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.
The Horicon Marsh Bird Club, with volunteers, annually participates in the Great Backyard Bird Count and Christmas Bird Count.
D. Describe your community-sponsored annual bird festival. This must be a multi-day event or a truly exceptional one-day event.
Since the inception of the Horicon Marsh Bird Festival in 1997, the event has become recognized as one of the premier birding experiences in the Midwest drawing birders from across the nation. This is according to Bill Volkert, formerly a Department of Natural Resources wildlife educator and naturalist. Each year, more than 500 people attend, with birders coming from throughout the upper Midwest and as far away as New York, New Jersey, Virginia, Ohio, Nebraska, Colorado, California, Washington state and even from abroad. In 2021, they will celebrate the 23rd year of the festival.
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.
The City of Horicon observed WMBD during the Horicon Marsh Bird Festival mentioned above in section 4E. The festival that ran from May 6-8 2022 was a weekend-long event providing family-friendly activities and educational experiences designed to showcase Horicon Marsh's role as an important habitat for birds and wildlife. Highlights of this year’s Bird Festival NEW trips to Old Marsh Road, night sounds, paddling and birding, LIVE birds of prey, smaller more intimate guided tours, and so much more!
