Bird-Friendly Squamish
Stewardship activities, community engagement and policy initiatives promote habitat protection and reduce threats to birds.Mission
To achieve Nature Canada’s Bird Friendly City/Town certification for Squamish by working with the municipality and community partners to reduce threats to birds, protect and restore habitat, strengthen climate resilience, and engage the community through outreach and education.
Why is this important?
Birds face many threats that endanger their survival, including habitat loss, invasive species, diseases, toxins, predation by cats, and collisions with windows. As a result, North American bird populations have declined by over 25% in the last 50 years. Some of these threats are easily prevented.
Window strikes alone kill an estimated 16 – 42 million birds annually in Canada, with around 90% occurring at individual homes. Outdoor cats are the second-leading cause of bird deaths, while choices made for parks and home gardens – such as pesticide use, mowing, and tree removal – can harm birds, destroy nests and reduce vital food and shelter.
How are we contributing?
Window Strike Monitoring and Mitigation
Our bird strike monitoring program encourages the community to report bird–glass collisions using the Global Bird Collision Mapper. We have installed prevention markers on windows and railings at high-risk commercial and residential properties and are working to expand these measures by promoting best practices across the community.
Education and Awareness
Our school programs have raised awareness about the use of ‘catios’ to reduce cat predation and window markers to prevent bird-glass collisions, and our Bird Friendly Squamish events engage the community in bird appreciation and conservation.
Collaboration for Community Change
Our Bird Friendly Squamish team is working with municipal staff and the community to implement changes that reduce threats to birds and bird habitat, following Nature Canada’s guidance.
Volunteer Opportunities
Year-round: Join our Bird Friendly Squamish (BFS) team, help organize or volunteer at BFS events, or participate in our Bird Strike Monitoring Program.
There are many ways to get involved, big or small, to help make our community more bird-friendly.
Questions about this program?
Reach out to our Program CoordinatorClaudia Cridge
[email protected]Who are we working with?
Our Bird Friendly Team includes individuals, representatives from other community organizations, and District of Squamish staff.
District of Squamish Community Enhancement Grants have supported our World Migratory Bird Day events and the installation of Feather Friendly decals on glass railings. We are engaging with staff on policy initiatives and actions to reduce threats and conserve habitat.
Squamish Community Foundation Annual Grants helped launch our long-term, community-led window strike monitoring program, support school workshops on window strike prevention, and retrofit homes and businesses with Feather Friendly decals.
Students from local schools have participated in workshops and taken action to reduce cat predation and window strikes.
