Peter McKeever was actively involved in gaining recognition for his home community of Monona (a Madison suburb) as a Bird City Wisconsin. He recorded the following radio spot, which is running on Monona’s local community radio station, WVOM. 98.7.

Are you feeding birds in your yard? Do you enjoy watching the chickadees, orioles, cardinals and House Finches? How about the honking of the geese and Sandhill Cranes overhead?

Monona has been named an official Wisconsin Bird City. This honor is in recognition of the commitment of the city and its residents to the protection of birds and the conservation of their habitat. Places like Woodland Park and the Monona Wetlands are important habitat for resident and migrating birds.

So are the trees in our city parks and the trees and bushes in your yard.

Bird populations are in decline everywhere. Bird song is disappearing.  One of the most important things we can do to protect birds is to keep our cats inside. Studies show pet cats kill billions of birds every year.

Birds are critical for a healthy ecosystem; they serve as indicators of the ecological health of our planet.

I’m Peter McKeever and I’m glad WVMO supports Monona’s birds.

Talya Photo/Shutterstock via American Bird Conservancy

Cats and birds: The combination can be disastrous. Although domestic cats (Felis catus) can make wonderful pets, they threaten birds and other wildlife and disrupt ecosystems.