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 Jefferson updated their 2040 Comprehensive Plan, which was approved on January 21, 2020.
D. Document that current municipal planning seeks to provide additional bird habitat.
In 2021, The City of Jefferson began the installation of a nature conservancy on an abandoned 5 holes of a former golf course. This conservancy is approximately 20 acres. There was installation of a paved trail, native plants and trees, and improved wetland areas. Seating areas, signs and a library storywalk will be installed in 2022 as well as additional plantings of shrubs.
E. Describe your community’s ordinance demonstrating that your community does not restrict natural/native landscaping that emphasizes native plants and non-turf lawns.
The City of Jefferson has an approved ordinance that permits natural landscaping, Chapter 219 - Natural Landscape Management.
The intent of this ordinance is to provide the property owner with guidelines and a permit process to achieve natural landscapes on their properties. This ordinance also requires a management plan for the property, to ensure that properties are well maintained and do not include any invasive species. The process includes a review and approval from the Landscaped committee.
In July of 2021, The City of Jefferson approved a new zoning code ordinance Chapter 300. This ordinance provides guidelines for commercial properties and their landscaping plans. This allows for the installation of rain gardens and bioswales.
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 Jefferson is fortunate to have the Jefferson Marsh State Wildlife Area & Jefferson Tamarack Swamp State Natural Area as segment #37 of the Great Wisconsin Birding and Nature Trail. Jefferson is very close in proximity to the other areas in the county on the Great Wisconsin Birding and Nature Trail.
L. Show that your community has restored at least two acres of woodlands, wetlands, or prairie.
The City purchased 5 abandoned holes of a former golf course and have restored it to a praire landscape with a 3/4 mile asphalt walking trail, benches and storywalk. We have planted native prairie seeds in approximately 25 acres.
Community Forest Management
A. Demonstrate that your community has been awarded Tree City USA status by the National Arbor Day Foundation.
The City of Jefferson continues to receive the recognition of Tree City USA . The City has been given this recognition for 28 years. The City has also been given the Growth Award five times since 1993.
C. Document an ongoing community program to incorporate a significant number of native trees, native shrubs, native herbaceous plants, and/or cultivars of native species in public or large-scale private landscaping.
This past year, we received 200 seedlings of Swamp white and bur oak from the County Parks Department. These were planted in Lubahn Park and River's Edge Nature Preserve. We are hoping that these will grow to increase the habitiate for birds.
In the planting of the Conservancy, we concentrated on planting native trees and shrubs such as Bur oak, White oak, Swamp White oak, Hazelnut, American cranberrybush and Grey and Red twig dogwood.
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 Cats Indoors! initiative is made available on our City of Jefferson website and also it is on display at the Jefferson Municipal Building. The City recognizes that cats can pose a threat to the bird population. Cats, Birds and You
B. Demonstrate that your community provides property owners with information on how to protect birds from window strikes (e.g., online links, brochures).
The American Bird Conservancy's window collision resources and the Sialis "Preventing Window Strikes" information are on the City of Jefferson's Bird City Wisconsin website. Bird City Wisconsin Resources
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.
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.
The Bird City Wisconsin page on the City of Jefferson website is accessed by going to the For Residents on the top drop down menu. Bird City Wisconsin
Energy & Sustainability
F. Demonstrate that your community participates in a community solar program or that a municipal building receives a significant percentage of its electricity from renewable energy.
In 2021, The City of Jefferson participated in a grant program from WPPI Energy to install solar panels on the joint Fire and EMS building. This project was completed in October. With only 2 months of use, any additonal power generated has been sold back to the utility for use to their customers.
The City of Jefferson became an Energy Independence Community in 2010. The purpose of this initiative is to reduce by 25% the City's municipal energy and fuel consumption through conservation and the use of renewable resources by the year 2025. Energy and conservation policies and procedures adopted as part of the Energy Independence Initiative will be based upon sound economic cost/benefit principles and long-term financial accountability. The Energy Independence Initiative will promote and provide community education and outreach on topics related to energy, conservation and the use of renewable energy. Energy Independent Communities
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.
This year we are hoping to work with a birding group from Fort Atkinson to hold an event in our newest conservancy park.
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