Courtesy of the Springfield Township EAC, July 19, 2017

The township has gone to the birds At its July 12 meeting, the Springfield Township Board of Commissioners unanimously adopted the Audubon Bird Town program, which was proposed by the township’s Environmental Advisory Commission.

Springfield joins 26 other municipalities in Pennsylvania in becoming a Bird Town, which is a
partnership with Audubon Pennsylvania, the state office of the National Audubon Society.

“Our committee has worked for nearly a year to qualify as a Bird Town and this designation speaks to our commitment to help our residents improve habitat and learn about the birds in their backyard,”
said Patrick Eddis, a member of Springfield’s EAC. “We are really excited about this program and this partnership.”

The EAC will work with Audubon and highlight the township’s incredible ecological resources and provide outreach and education to property owners. Community events and workshops will be offered.

“Birds are natural indicators of ecological health,” says Steven Saffier who manages the Bird Town program for Audubon. “Bird Towns promote enjoyment of nature and citizen science. I’m confident that
the residents of Springfield will be amazed to find out what birds come through this area as part of the Atlantic Flyway…the super- highway of bird migration.”

The area’s local Audubon chapter, the Wyncote Audubon Society, will be conducting bird walks in the area for families and beginners. “Eastern Montgomery County not only boasts the most Bird Towns of
any region, but some of the best places to bird watch,” said Leigh Altadonna, the chapter’s president.
Audubon Pennsylvania’s mission is to conserve and restore natural ecosystems, focusing on birds, other wildlife and their habitats for the benefit of humanity and the earth’s biological diversity in
Pennsylvania. More information on Bird Town or creating a backyard habitat can be found at http://pa.audubon.org.

The Environmental Advisory Commission is charged with promoting public awareness on environmental and ecological issues within the township. This partnership with Audubon will help residents focus on
practical steps (such as providing habitat and using native plant species) and inexpensive practices (reducing or eliminating pesticides) that will have a big impact in the health of our natural
environment.

The Environmental Advisory Commission meets on the fourth Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Library Community Room in Wyndmoor, 1200 E. Willow Grove Ave. Public participation is always encouraged. There is no July meeting; the next meeting is August 23.