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 Village of Howard Comprehensive Plan was prepared in accordance with Wisconsin’s “Smart Growth” law elements. The document lays out a vision for the future of Howard and is to be used as a guide in the development and preservation of the community as it continues to grow and evolve.
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)
Volunteers from the Bluebird Restoration Association of Wisconsin have installed Bluebird houses throughout the Village of Howard park system and have annually performed counts through their monitoring program. Parks include Meadowbrook Park, Disc Golf Course, Spring Green Park, Mills Center Park, and Akzo Nobel.
Another Howard resident provides data for the Seasonal and Rare Bird Report.
D. Document that current municipal planning seeks to provide additional bird habitat.
The Village of Howard Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan provides guidance to the Village on acquisition and development of current and future park, recreation, and open space areas. In particular, Goal 7 on page 4 states “Encourage the preservation of environmentally sensitive and historically significant areas” as well as the vision of future park areas described on pages 29-31.
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 Village of Howard Parks Department has included information on its Bird City Wisconsin page, including a link to the DNR's “Wisconsin Invasive Species” and additional information and education to users about invasive species identification, best management practices, and control methods.
Community Forest Management
A. Demonstrate that your community has been awarded Tree City USA status by the National Arbor Day Foundation.
The Village of Howard continues to be recognized as a Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation following its initial award in 1992.
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 Village of Howard Parks Department has included information on its Bird City Wisconsin page including a web link to the “Cats Outdoors!” webpage through the American Bird Conservancy. The site also provides information and education to users on the hazards that cats pose on local bird populations.
B. Demonstrate that your community provides property owners with information on how to protect birds from window strikes (e.g., online links, brochures).
The Village of Howard Parks Department has included information on its Bird City Wisconsin page, including a web link to the “Bird Collisions” webpage through the American Bird Conservancy.
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 Village of Howard Parks Department has included information on its Bird City Wisconsin page, including a web link to the “Create a Bird Friendly Habitat” webpage through the National Wildlife Federation.
Village of Howard resident Jim Johnson conducts the Howard Bird List, Christmas Bird Counts, and Swift Night Out counts and his territory covers Howard. Jim counted over 4,200 birds for previous Christmas Bird Counts. He found two active nest sites for the Swift Night Out program.
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 Village of Howard holds an Arbor Day/International Migratory Bird Day Celebration every April at a Park in Howard. Girl Scouts or Boy Scouts, their families, and Village Officials attend the event. There is a presentation on proper tree planting and the benefits of trees, especially for wildlife by the Village of Howard Superintendent of Parks, Forestry, and Golf. This year we planted several trees in multiple parks.
