Middletown = Bird Town!
As of September 5th 2024, Middletown Township is now a Bird Town! Middletown Township has been accepted in the Bird Town program by Bird Town Pennsylvania and the Pennsylvania Audubon Council.
Why birds exactly?
Birds are sensitive to changes in the environment, making them excellent indicators of ecosystem health. When bird populations decline or shift, it often signals larger issues affecting biodiversity and environmental quality, such as habitat loss or pollution. Monitoring birds helps identify and address broader ecological problems early.
A Scarlet Tanager at Darlington Trail. A native fellow that lives high up in the treetops.
The Middletown Township Environmental Advocacy Committee (our local EAC), formed a separate Bird Town Committee, the members include Linda Coulston(chair) and Joanne Rosenbaum. They were responsible for our acceptance into the program and getting the resolution passed in the Township Council. There are also two community members, Karen and Kevin Mills on the committee.
The EAC also garnered the support of the following local groups:
Tyler Arboretum
The Country Gardeners
Middletown Township Land Conservancy
Transition Town Greater Media
The Committee is organizing a diverse array of community educational events for the upcoming year, providing opportunities for community volunteering.
Bird Town literature available at BirdtownPA.org
Bird Town Pennsylvania is a conservation initiative aimed at creating bird-friendly communities through partnerships with local municipalities and organizations. The program focuses on community-based actions to promote healthier, more sustainable environments for birds, wildlife, and people. It collaborates with towns to implement habitat restoration, reduce pesticide usage, encourage native plantings, and manage stormwater.
A Grey Heron, on a leisurely stroll through Ridley Creek
What could this possibly mean for Middletown besides more birds? By becoming a bird town, we have documented our intent as a community to embrace broad ecological well being.
As land is developed, there are choices to be made in terms of what kinds of habitat is important to preserve and what kinds of plants and trees should be added to Land Development Plans landscaping requirements. Township Council and the Planning Commission have the power, and they have acknowledged the need, as good stewards, to adhere to ecological best practices including how it might affect indicator species such as birds.