Habitat Creation, Protection, and Monitoring

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.

Pittsville’s comprehensive plan ordinance (#02-2009), in accordance with Wisconsin’s Smart Growth law, went into effect on December 15, 2009.

C. Provide evidence (e.g., official designation of natural areas, easements, etc.) that existing bird habitat within community limits has legal protection. (Exclusions: Leash laws; prohibitions against disturbing nests and wildlife; areas consisting primarily of mowed grass)

Riverside Park, Yellow River, and other protected and private lands in the City of Pittsville give legal protection to bird habitat.

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.

Pittsville works to control invasive species and uses its website to provide information on invasive species for landowners, media, and the public.

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 Pittsville Community Library includes a children's library hour in which they make homemade bird feeders. They have included an adult class "Feed the Birds Workshop"

I. Document a recent project that created or restored bird habitat in your community. (Exclusions: Bird feeders and small-scale artificial nesting structures)

The Pittsville Community Library is having a "Feed the Birds Workshop" on February 14, 2023 to make some homemade treats for our feathered friends. 

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 city has donated wood to the industrial arts class to make Wood Duck houses and Bluebird houses that have been placed in our Community Park. 

Community Forest Management

A. Demonstrate that your community has been awarded Tree City USA status by the National Arbor Day Foundation.

The City of Pittsville continues to be recognized as a Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation following its initial award in 1995. The City participates in an annual Arbor Day celebration for children and the general public.

On 2021, the Arbor Day Celebration was limited due to COVID. The saplings were ordered, received and given to students at Pittsville Elementary School. The teachers were given packets of information including a coloring page, pictures, and activities to hand out to their students with the sablings.   

F. OTHER: Demonstrate in a narrative.

Pittsville Public School is home to a 140-acre parcel that includes mixed northern hardwoods of various ages along with a stand of conifers. The forest also contains back water areas of the Yellow River. All grade levels at the school have curricula that involve learning about, and using, this forest.

Limiting or Removing Threats to Birds

B. Demonstrate that your community provides property owners with information on how to protect birds from window strikes (e.g., online links, brochures).

Window strike information can be found on the City’s website and collision remedies are also placed in the local paper. In addition, publications are available at Wood County Agriculture Services.

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.

Public education information about creating and enhancing backyard habitat is provided on the City’s website and in the City Clerk/Treasurer’s office. The Pittsville School continues to build bird houses at no cost to the public for habitat improvement.

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).

Our community participated in a "Great Backyard Bird Count" on May 7-May 9, 2021. Mr. Robert Wolff conducted the count and added up the species from the forms provided to the public.

Robert Wolff passed away on June 1st, 2021. Bob was a very active and valued member of our community. He was a biology teached in Pittsville for 37 years and was instrumental and the driving force for Pittsville to become a "Bird City". We, at the City of Pittsville, miss Bob deeply. 2022 will be the first "Backyard Bird Count" in Pittsville without Bob. 

Energy & Sustainability

E. Show that your community has implemented a sustainability plan that improves your community’s energy efficiency and/or increases the use of renewable energy. (Exclusions: Smart Growth comprehensive plans)

2022 will be the final year of our program to replace all of our street lights and walking path lights with LED bulbs.    

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 Pittsville sponsored a backyard bird count on May 7-9, 2021. It was fun, free and an easy event for all ages. The types and numbers of birds observed were recorded from the 15 minute sampling period from the 3 days. Results were typed up and published in the Pittsville Record.