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HomeMy WebLinkAboutINS-2025-194 - Kitchener City Bird - The Dark Eyed JuncoStaff Report J IKgc.;i' r� R Infrastructure Services Department www.kitchener.ca REPORT TO: Committee of the Whole DATE OF MEETING: May 5, 2025 SUBMITTED BY: Jeffery Silcox -Childs, Director Parks & Cemeteries, 519-783-8877 PREPARED BY: Rachel Voros, Natural Areas Project Manager, 519-783-8883 WARD(S) INVOLVED: All Ward(s) DATE OF REPORT: April 14, 2025 REPORT NO.: INS -2025-194 SUBJECT: Kitchener City Bird — The Dark Eyed Junco RECOMMENDATION: That Council endorse the Dark Eyed Junco as Kitchener's Official Bird, as outlined in the staff report, INS -2025-194. REPORT HIGHLIGHTS: • The purpose of this report is to receive Council endorsement of the Dark Eyed Junco as the Kitchener City Bird. • The key finding of this report is that in support of Kitchener's Bird Friendly Status, a public voting campaign was successfully completed to select Kitchener's City Bird. • There are no financial implications to the recommendations in this report. • Community engagement included social media posts and a public voting campaign to select a City Bird. • This report supports Cultivating a Green City Together: Focuses a sustainable path to a greener, healthier city; enhancing & protecting parks & natural environment while transitioning to a low -carbon future; supporting businesses & residents to make climate -positive choices. BACKGROUND: At the January 18, 2024, Climate Change and Environment Committee (CCEC) meeting, a member of the committee presented on the `Bird Friendly Cities' Certification Program through Ontario Nature. Following the presentation, a recommendation was put forward by the committee and the committee resolved "That the Climate Change and Environment committee support bringing the exploration of Kitchener becoming a Bird City to council." The request was presented in report DSD -2024-081 at the February 26, 2024, Planning and Strategic Initiatives Committee meeting, and approved "That staff be directed to investigate the benefits and feasibility of Kitchener becoming a `Bird Friendly City' including any resource and budgetary considerations as outlined in Development Services Department report DSD -2024- 081." *** This information is available in accessible formats upon request. *** Please call 519-741-2345 or TTY 1-866-969-9994 for assistance. Page 43 of 177 On November 18th, 2024, Nature Canada granted Kitchener Bird Friendly City Certification which was endorsed by council after the request was presented in report DSD -2024-480. In this presentation a public campaign to recognize a citizen- elected City Bird was initiated. REPORT: In November, 2024, to fulfill section 3.7 (page 48) of the Bird Friendly City Application (Attachment A) the following action was initiated: "You must provide proof that a campaign to select a "City Bird" is underway or has been successfully completed, evidence of community engagement, the name of the "City Bird" species, and proof that it is officially the "City Bird" through Council support/recognition." The Bird Friendly Kitchener (BFK) City Bird Vote (Attachment B) described the characteristics of each bird and asked the public to choose from the Killdeer, the Merlin, the Dark -Eyed Junco, and the Chimney Swift. The BFK Poll (Attachment C) shows the votes cast for each bird; a total of 1,265 votes were received. A summary of the polling results is provided in the table below. Bird Total Votes Dark -Eyed Junco 45.1% Merlin 27.1% Chimney Swift 17.5% Killdeer 10.3% With 45.1 % of the vote, the Dark -Eyed Junco is the citizen -elected City Bird. STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT: This report supports Cultivating a Green City Together: Focuses a sustainable path to a greener, healthier city; enhancing &protecting parks & natural environment while transitioning to a low carbon future; supporting businesses & residents to make climate positive choices. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: The recommendation has no impact on the Capital Budget or Operating Budget. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: INFORM — This report has been posted to the City's website with the agenda in advance of the council/committee meeting. Staff will work with BFK members to promote the Dark -Eyed Junco through a press release. CONSULT — From November 13th, 2024, to December 21 st, 2024, a public campaign to elect a City Bird took place. There were 1,265 responses to the poll. Page 44 of 177 PREVIOUS REPORTS/AUTHORITIES: • DSD -2024-081 Kitchener becoming Bird Friendly • DSD -2024-480 Becoming a Bird Friendly City and World Migratory Bird Day APPROVED BY: Denise McGoldrick, General Manager, Infrastructure Services ATTACHMENTS: Attachment A — Bird -Friendly City Application REVISED Attachment B —The Bird Friendly Kitchener City Bird Vote Attachment C —The BFK Poll Page 45 of 177 L ON ;1 041:4 L A� ................. CA ............ Y�'�� "I� .. . .. . .. . .. . . . . �A I ........... 0 �11�� I a W� CITY REPRESENTED: DATE OF SUBMISSION: Page 46 of 177 Mandatory Criteria 1 Section 1: Threat Reduction 9 Section 2: Habitat Protection, Restoration, and Climate Resiliency ................................................................................................................................................26 Section3: Community Outreach/Education.............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................39 Page 47 of 177 Page 48 of 177 First Name Last Name Organization (if applicable) email address Jennifer Clary -Lemon, University of Waterloo, jclarylemon@uwaterloo.ca (co -Chair) David Gascoigne, Waterloo Region Nature, davidmgascoigne@gmail.com Paul Groleau, Feather Friendly, pgroleau@featherfriendly.com Natasha Barlow, Birds Canada, nbarlow@birdscanada.org Bob Williams, r.j.williams044@gmail.com Roderick Hornby, Waterloo Region Nature (Teens), Roderickhornbyphotography@gmail.com Victoria Lamont ,University of Waterloo, vlamont@uwaterloo.ca Meredith Blunt, Independent Artist, meredith.blunt@gmail.com (co -Chair) Marcel O'Gorman, University of Waterloo Critical Media Lab, marcel@uwaterloo.ca Ethan Gosnell, University of Waterloo (undergrad), egosnell@uwaterloo.ca Yu -Ting Chen, University of Waterloo (grad), yu-ting.chenl@uwaterloo.ca Roger Suffling, U of Waterloo/Waterloo Region Nature, resuffli@uwaterloo.ca Kathy Mortimer, Waterloo Region Nature, kathy.mortimer@speedymail.org Keira McManus, University of Waterloo/ UW -Society for Ecological Restoration, k4mcmanus@uwaterloo.ca Amanda Armstrong University of Waterloo/ UW -Society for Ecological Restoration, am2armst@uwaterloo.ca Istafa Sufi, rare Charitable Research Reserve, istafa.suii@raresites.org Gabriel Evans -Cook, Birds Canada, gevanscook@birdscanada.org Page 49 of 177 The Kitchener Bird Team acts in a consultative manner with both Municipal partners and rare Charitable Research Reserve, both of which have existing contact with local First Nations (we have two Bird Team members that are employed by rare). Local Indigenous groups that they work with include: White Owl Native Ancestry, Crow Shield Lodge, and Wisahtewinowak. Both rare and the municipality also consult with Six Nations of the Grand River and Mississaugas of the Credit River First Nation. Because we do not wish to create more labour for First Nations individuals, who often bear high brunt of community service loads such as these, we are relying on our partners as our connection to First Nations. In every initiative, we plan on connecting with First Nations using these existing partnerships. Page 50 of 177 We have presented at the City of Kitchener's Committee on Climate Change and the Environment (CECC), who voted to allow city staff to investigate the feasibility of the City of Kitchener to become a Bird Friendly City (see https://www.kitchener.ca/en/news/key-decisions-of-kitchener-council-march-18-2024.aspx). This is the first step in preparing for a council resolution. City staff have been helping research and complete the certification materials as a result. Once the BFC application has been submitted, we will return to the CECC with our certification packet with a request that they support a council resolution (this is currently on the September CCEC agenda), with the intention of getting on the October Council agenda. Thus we should have a Council resolution within the first year of certification. Page 51 of 1774 M-4: ANNUAL REPORT • This criterion will be met upon certification. Page 52 of 177 Although this is not yet needed, we have ongoing activities that celebrate World Migratory Bird day: 1) we have held an event with Princess Cinemas here: https://www.princesscinemas.com/movie/world-migratory-bird-day-purple-haze-waterloo; 2) the City of Kitchener hosted a Tree Planting Event here https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/tree-planting-for-world-migratory-bird-day-tickets-899315114717? aff=oddtdtcreator. Page 53 of 177 PROGRAM R VISIBILITY 1 We have established a website presence through affiliation with Waterloo Region Nature at www.bfck.waterlooregionnature.ca. The City of Kitchener has agreed to link to this website once we are a certified BFC. We also have a BFC Kitchener Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/people/Bird-Friendly-Kitchener/61560111744082/), Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/birdfriendlykitchener�, and designated email address (birdfriendlykitchener@gmail.com). Page 54 of 177 -7: RENEWAL We intend to submit a renewal application once certification is granted. Page 55 of 17� Page 56 of 17� r I,I �(I) 0 E D C /!',,,[ S '� t (I R . "r 10 The City of Kitchener has a chapter in its municipal code related to the regulation of animals. Within Article 2 a pair of clauses state, "No owner of an animal shall allow his/ her animal to run at large," and, "An animal shall be deemed to be running at large when it is found not under the effective control of an adult person and not under leash, unless the animal is on the lands of a person who has given prior consent to it being unleashed." Regulations are posted on the City's website (Chapter 408 - Animals - Regulation (kitchener.ca, https://lf.kitchener.ca/WebLinkExt/DocView.aspx?dbid=0&id=1497603&cr=1). The Humane Society of Kitchener Waterloo and Stratford Perth is contracted by the City of Kitchener to provide animal by-law and animal control services (https://kwsphumane.ca/municipal-animal-services), among others, most notably confined stray cat removal. Humane Society officers are municipal law enforcement officers empowered to enforce municipal animal by-laws and may issue offence notices for by-law violations. Page 57 of 177 1 'E D C A(,;; In an effort to control feral and stray cat populations within our community, the Kitchener -Waterloo Humane Society offers the Trap -Neuter -Return (TNR) Program. Anyone may bring a trapped cat to the Kitchener centre and pay $45 for sterilization, vaccination, microchip implanting, and ear tipping. Cats are then returned to their trapping location rather than relocated. The Humane Society tracks statistics related to participation in sterilization programs. Annual sterilizations performed at the Kitchener centre (includes cats trapped in adjacent Waterloo) have trended upward as data has been made available. The Kitchen Waterloo Stratford Perth Humane Society and Kitchener's Director of ByLaw services have provided the following information and numbers. 02020-470 02021-466 02022-589 92023-595 The RTF (Return to Field) program is for feral cats that are brought in as strays. If the finder who brought them in is willing to take responsibility for them, KWSPHS will do the same services as TNR and Barn Buddy programs, with the understanding that cats are returned to the environment/neighbourhood from where they came. This caretaker is responsible for ensuring that they are fed (either by them, or by other community members, as these are often what we refer to as "community cats"). KWSPHS provides a Barn Buddy program, which is specifically for found cats and cats already in their care. httnc //lrca cnhnmann r a/harn_hnrlrlv_nrndram Thnncsh thn nrinntnnc aro inr1nnr/niitr1nnr rate nrinntnrc aril Page 58 of 17,7 12 C T A A "r The Kitchen Waterloo Stratford Perth Humane Society and Kitchener's Director of ByLaw services have provided the following information. Humane Society has seen a significant decrease in the number of stray cats coming into the shelter over the past few years. This may be attributed to partnerships with cat rescue groups, fosters and barn buddys, as well as trap, neuter, release programs in Kitchener. The KWSPHS provides the following services to manage roaming cats and mitigating their threat. https://kwsphumane.ca/community-cats-program, including the TNR, Trap rental, and winterized cat shelters. KWSPHS provides an accessible spay -neuter clinic for cat owners facing financial limitations. All surgeries are performed by licensed veterinarians and registered veterinary technicians. The public, rescue groups and other shelters are welcome, regardless of geography or income. The spay -neuter clinics provide an alternative so people do not feel tempted to improperly use the TNR, which is reserved for feral and farm cats. The City of Kitchener is currently updating their Neighbourhood ByLaw guide document, which is a publicly available (via the website and in physical form at city hall) pamphlet, and includes basic information for the animals at -large bylaws Page 59 of 177 The City of Kitchener's Urban Design Manual is a guiding document and vision for design. An Urban Design Report, when required to accompany a Development Application will reference applicable guidelines. Per the Design for Wildlife subsection of Section 01.2.3 (Design for Sustainability) of the Urban Design Manual, the first 12 metres from the ground should be designed to prevent bird strikes by limiting the potential for reflection of trees and sky through material choice and detailing. Where glazing is prominent on the first 12 metres of a building, the Urban Design Manual requests consideration of the use of treatments which can be applied to the glass surface, creating visual markers for birds. Further, Section 01.2.3 guides designers to use awnings, canopies, recessions, projections, and other architectural interventions to disrupt the reflection of trees and sky in ground floor windows. Likewise, a subsection entitled Bird Friendly Design under Section 09.3.5 Design for Sustainability within the Site Design for Tall Buildings chapter relays that daytime bird strikes generally occur from ground level to tree top level, while migratory birds are attracted at night to tall structures that are excessively lit. This subsection implores for design of tall buildings to minimize bird collisions with glass by avoiding untreated reflective glass or clear glass that reflects trees and sky. Glass should have visual markers and any reflection should be muted within the first 12 metres of building height and lighting should be located and managed to reduce reflections that may cause confusion for migratory birds. The City of Kitchener Urban Design Manual can be downloaded at https://www.kitchener.ca/en/development-and-construction/urban-design.aspx Page 60 of 17,7 2D C"' 0 S S XI S11I A i ) I)I I) C) SI 1"') IV!11,I�,I(III� �aL I31 J DII 4G '° 14 The City of Kitchener does not currently assess or mitigate risk to birds from existing and proposed municipal buildings. The Bird Friendly City team has begun monitoring window collisions using a customizing reporting tool on the Anecdata platform (BFCK Bird -Window Collision and Building Treatment Survey I Anecdata, https://www.anecdata.org/projects/view/1314) that follows the Fatal Light Awareness Program's (FLAP) protocol. Once collected, we will relay data to the Global Bird Collision Mapper to help FLAP better understand where and to what degree collisions occur. Page 61 of 177 . ..... ... . /F R S 1, 2 (C), V"Id" I'l'l"' C C""' S �D ,J "'I PR ( �'' ", Y I J, � 0 C I I l A � S 111�11 � The City of Kitchener does not currently inform/educate property owners and tenants of existing buildings of measures they can take to mitigate bird collision risk. Page 62 of 17,E 11 01l + C r I ,'+ f,,,. 16 The Bird Friendly City team has created a database to establish a baseline of the number of buildings with treated windows following the FLAP's Bird -Friendly Building Survey protocol and using the same platform and customized reporting tool as our window collision data collection (BFCK Bird -Window Collision and Building Treatment Survey I Anecdata, https://www.anecdata.org/projects/view/1314). As with collisions, once collected, we will relay data to FLAP and Nature Canada to help them gather data on bird -friendly building designs and retrofits around the world. Page 63 of 177 1_3 3 (A) H T I (� � � I` ;J,. I I � L� t J C F I',,,,D S t �F 1'+ III I' The City of Kitchener's Urban Design Manual is a guiding document and vision for design. An Urban Design Report, when required to accompany a Development Application will reference applicable guidelines. As noted in the Manual, a wide array of birds and wildlife share our urban environment, and their needs should be appropriately considered when designing for Kitchener so that they may continue to thrive. All site and landscape design should conserve, enhance and promote biodiversity of all forms and at all scales. Per the Design for Wildlife subsection of Section 01.2.3 (Design for Sustainability) of the City of Kitchener Urban Design Manual, all development is to meet a Dark Sky compliant standard by using full cut-off fixtures with no uplighting (UO). A Dark Sky standard improves the well-being, health, and safety of wildlife by reducing light pollution. The Manual requests that designers reduce light pollution from reflections and glare by orienting and placing fixtures in such a way as to project light only on non -reflective surfaces. As migratory birds move through cities at night, this section further requests consideration of automated lighting to reduce unnecessary interior light and lessen migratory bird strikes. Any architectural lighting at the top of buildings is to have an automated timer -shut-off to preserve dark skies. The City of Kitchener Urban Design Manual can be downloaded at https://www.kitchener.ca/en/development-and-construction/urban-design.aspx Page 64 of 17,7 �[ . � �` 3) L L ri T ! I I � I /'�� I � � : � I ? I `I '4 I ��. I ! (H;i � � � I � 18 The City of Kitchener's Development Manual outlines the City's current engineering requirements, guidelines, specifications and standards, which guide the design and construction of public infrastructure. It also outlines the expectations and requirements for obtaining engineering approvals associated with development applications with specific regard to Site Plans and Plans of Subdivision. The City of Kitchener requires the use of full cutoff luminaries that direct no light above the horizontal plane. In conversation with Sandro Bassanese (Sandro.bassanese@kitchener.ca, Site Plan Manager) and Steve Ventros (steve.vrentzos@kitchener.ca, Director of Bylaw), new developments must have a Lighting Plan that adheres to Dark Sky compliant lighting. This site lighting plan becomes part for life of the property through site plan approval in perpetuity. Lights must be installed and approved by both a lighting engineer and a city inspection officer before the letter of credit is returned to the owner of the property. This means that an owner of a property will not receive money put into the project unless compliance is approved at two levels. Per Section H, Streetlighting, streetlighting design within the City of Kitchener is completed by Kitchener -Wilmot Hydro with the exception of Ornamental Streetlighting Design. The specifications for standard streetlighting equipment for the City of Kitchener include Leotek Electronics' GreenCobra Junior Series part numbers: GCJO-I5H-MV-WW-2R-GY-700-PCR7-CR, GCJ1-20H-MV-WW-2R-GY-580-PCR7-CR or approved equivalent (see https:Hleotek.com/wp-content/uploads/GCJ_H-Series_Specification-Sheet_ 10-17-22-Updated-1.pdO ; where WW stands for 3000K colour temperature. The GreenCobra Junior series are downward facing, diialdad T FT) lialhtinct' nrnrim-tc (cna httnc•//lnntalz rnm/araanrnhrn/arl/) Page 65 of 177 BFC Kitchener has developed a public website with information regarding light pollution and bird health at https:Hbfck.waterlooregionnature.ca/help-kitcheners-birds/. This is an educational webpage available to anyone who searches for light pollution and the city of Kitchener. The BFC Kitchener webpage made front-page news October 11, 2024 in the waterloo Region Record (https://www.therecord.com/news/waterloo-region/contest-to-name-kitchener-s-official-bird-takes-flight/a rticle_4d6aaf61-ea85-5bca-8f01-8166ac5aed4£html) and is a first point of public outreach for BFC Kitchener. This website contains: *a 2023 light pollution map of the Kitchener area *a simple graphic from FLAP Canada that explains how light pollution affects birds and a graphic of street light options with varying levels of light pollution *an explanation of how light pollution affects migrating birds *a list of 7 actions that citizens can take to help stop light pollution *a link to Dark Sky International, a recognized worldwide authority on light pollution Page 66 of 171 L� �. C' I �f �. f .. ��� ('�h,. ,1 . 20 Per the Cosmetic Pesticides Ban Act, pesticides cannot be used for cosmetic purposes in Ontario on lawns, vegetable and ornamental gardens, patios, driveways, and in parks and school yards. There are no exceptions for pest infestations (insects, fungi or weeds) in these areas, as lower risk pesticides, biopesticides and alternatives to pesticides exist. More than 250 pesticide products are banned for sale and over 95 pesticide ingredients are banned for cosmetic uses. While cemeteries are listed as an excepted entity to allow the use of pesticides for cosmetic purposes as of the effective date of amending regulation 134/20, the City of Kitchener was quoted in a 2020 City of Hamilton staff report that pesticides for general turf maintenance in cemeteries were not recommended per the City's Integrated Pest Management program. The Natural Areas Project Manager with the City's Parks & Cemeteries Department subsequently relayed that Kitchener does not use herbicides for cosmetic purposes. They selectively employ land management and restoration techniques that include the application of herbicides when supporting the management and eradication of aggressive and harmful invasive species such as Giant Hogweed and Buckthorn, which requires permission from exemption to the Ontario Pesticide Act. Page 67 of 177 The City of Kitchener does not currently have a chapter in municipal code that specifically bans the sale and/or use of neonicotinoid insecticides, Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis, or chemical rodent control. Page 68 of 1727 22 1`1',I III The Community Clean-up Program, coordinated through the City of Kitchener's LoveMyHood program encourages neighbours to come together for a common cause — removing litter from our parks, trails, and open spaces (https://www.lovemyhood.ca/en/cool-ideas/community-clean-ups.aspx). Groups may register their community clean-up and the City of Kitchener will provide free supplies, including gloves and garbage bags available for pick up at one of 14 community centres. After the clean-up event, groups may call the City to request pick up of bagged litter. Waterloo Region Nature, of which Bird Friendly City Kitchener is a member organization, has conducted numerous Earth Day -themed clean up efforts in the City. Examples include action in the Laurentian Wetlands (https://waterlooregionnature.ca/2023/04/16/laurentian-wetland- cleanup- 2023/) as well as along the Iron Horse Trail and in several other local parks in partnership with EPAM Systems Canada. REEP Green Solutions hosts a yearly "Zero Waste Challenge" in which residents commit to 7, 14, or 30 days of fitting all of their single -use waste in a mason jar. This encourages citizens to reduce plastic waste and learn about their consumption habits (https://reepgreen.ca/zwc�. The City of Kitchener is committed to reducing plastic waste through recycling programs, as well as adhering to the current federal ban on single -use plastics (see https://kitchener. ctvnews.ca/k-w-businesses- adapting -as -single -use -plastic -bans -take- effect- 1. 62 02 477; https://www.therecord.com/news/waterloo-region/ban-on-single-use-plastics-has-started-with-no-visible-b enefits-yet/article-7622f747-cc55-56cc-b561-64a53b676aad.html). Currently the following plastics recycling is in nla�n fnr �nrrnnt nlaetire in rirrnlatinn• Page 69 of 177 Kitchener is a leader in reducing the number of vehicle trips taken versus active transportation modes such as walking, cycling, and public transportation. Designated a Silver Bicycle Friendly Community by the Share the Road Cycling Coalition (see https://sharetheroad.ca/current-bfc-award-winners/), Kitchener's Cycling and Trails Master Plan was approved in 2020 and has since won awards (see https://kitchener. citynews. ca/2021 /07/06/kitcheners-cyclingtrails-master-plan-wins-planning-award-393 36 97/) for its community-based approach to active transportation and trail planning. The Cycling and Trails Master Plan focuses on creating a city-wide network of cycling routes and trails that is comfortable for people of All Ages and Abilities. From 2017 to 2022, the largest increase in mobility infrastructure has been the active transportation and trails network (https://pub-kitchener.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?Documentld=12959). Sidewalks and walkways increased by 55 kilometres, multi -use trails by 25 km, roadway parallel multi -use paths by 41 km, and protected bike lanes by 12 km. The downtown cycling grid, comprised of protected bicycle lanes, has transformed how people move around by making it safe, comfortable and convenient to bike. The network connects to popular trails like the Iron Horse Trail, Spur Line Trail and the Trans Canada Trail. Its development grid has resulted in a 164 percent increase in ridership (see https://www.kitchener.ca/en/roads-and-cycling/bike-infrastructure.aspx), with 54,781 cycling trips in the first seven months of 2023. Recently upgraded trails include the Henry Sturm Trail, Wilson Park Trail, Traynor Trail, and Shoemaker Greenway Trail. The new Cherry Park Trail connects the Iron Horse Trail with the future regional central transit hub (and current light rail station). The Iron Horse Trail continues to grow in use, with an average of 2,894 daily users in June 2023, compared to 819 in June 2016, an increase of 270 percent. On the busiest day in June 2023, there were 4,923 people walking, rolling and cycling at the thran rnnntor lni-atinnc Page 70 of 1727 [ I T Ul',I ",,,ItC.l `_;/ + I I i Kitchener municipal code prohibits owners from allowing animals to run at large, defined as found not under the effective control of an adult person and not under leash, unless the animal is on the lands of a person who has given prior consent to it being unleashed (Chapter 408 - Animals - Regulation (kitchener.ca), https://lf.kitchener.ca/WebLinkExt/DocView.aspx?dbid=0&id=1497603&cr=1). A separate section of municipal code specifically extends these restrictions to dogs and defines a maximum leash length of 2.4 metres (Chapter 421 - Dog - Responsible Ownership (kitchener.ca), https://lf.kitchener.ca/WebLinkExt/DocView.aspx?dbid=0&id=2024521 &page=l &cr=1). The City of Kitchener's Official Plan (Section 7.C.2; see https://www.kitchener.ca/en/resourcesGeneral/Documents/DSD_PLAN_City_of Kitchener_Official_Plan_ 2014.pdo establishes policies for protection of its Natural Heritage System, currently comprised of 7,087 hectares of natural heritage features that maintain local and regional biological, hydrological, ecological and geological diversity and functions, support viable populations of indigenous species, and sustain local ecosystems. Policies within the Official Plan pertaining to the Natural Heritage System are intended to maintain, restore, or improve the diversity, connectivity, and ecological functions of the city's natural heritage features. Land uses and activities that do not achieve these ends to the satisfaction of the City, Region, Grand River Conservation Authority, and/or Province will be prohibited or generally not supported, as appropriate. Per the Official Plan, the City will, in conjunction with other interested groups and agencies, seek opportunities to acquire, manage and maintain Significant Wildlife Habitat areas. The City also commits to continued identification of ecological restoration areas through technical study, private land stewardship, and conservation/restoration/land securement programs of public agencies. Supporting policies within the Official Plan include Watershed Planning and the protection of associated ecological fiinrtinnc 24 Page 71 of 177 ENTRY 10 points from at least 3 categories. INTERMEDIATE 13 points from at least 5 categories including at least 2 categories worth 3 or more. HIGH 16 points or more. Must include at least 3 points in categories 1 and 2. Must have no roam bylaw (cats), and bird friendly building guidelines for high level. Page 72 of 17zzs 26 Page 73 of 177 .1 I ... U II A RIf;;;;.A S f1 R 0...FI C... 11 I 11 IOW CRI TIERIIA IIS MIE...T As of April 12, 2022, Ontario Nature and the City of Kitchener were pleased to announce that 20 properties (585 hectares) in Kitchener's Natural Heritage System qualified as protected areas, contributing to Canada's target to conserve 25 percent of lands and waters by 2025 (see https://ontarionature.org/news-release/kitchener-protected-areas/). These sites are among the first municipal conservation lands in Ontario confirmed to be managed to the national standards for protected and conserved areas. Qualified protected areas in Kitchener include: Borden Wetland Briarfield Park Homer Watson Park Huron Natural Area Idlewood Park Lackner Woods Lakeside Park Laurentian Wetland Springmount Park-Idlewood Creek Steckle Woods Tilt's Bush Topper Woods Brigadoon Woods Carisbrook Drive Natural Area T)nnn Cniith Crnnle Page 74 of 1727 22 11101...0GICA11.... DII If;;;.I II...FY The City of Kitchener has a Sustainable Urban Forest Strategy (see https://www.kitchener.ca/en/resourcesGeneral/Documents/INS_PARKS_Urban_Forest_Strategy.pdf ). This Plan has five goal areas: 1) PLAN first: the cornerstone of a sustainable and resilient urban forest; 2) ENGAGE often and widely: building critical community support, collaboration and stewardship; 3) MAINTAIN proactively: increasing health, longevity and resiliency; 4) PROTECT prudently: maintaining and maximizing what we already have; 5) PLANT correctly and deliberately: ensuring future generations have a vibrant and resilient tree canopy. Metrics regarding this Strategy are ongoing. You can see an example of Kitchener's Sustainable Urban Forest Report Card, which examines 28 targets from a prior forestry program that map on to the Sustainable Urban Forestry Strategy, here: https://www.kitchener.ca/en/resourcesGeneral/Documents/INS_PARKS_Sustainable_Urban_Forest_Repor t_Card.pdf 28 Page 75 of 177 IHOW CRII f If;;;: R II IIS Mll::.::.::, F The City of Kitchener has a municipal Committee on Climate Change and the Environment (previously the "Environmental Committee"; see https://www.kitchener.ca/en/council-and-city-administration/advisory-committees-and-boards.aspx#Clima te- change -and -environment- committee) , which advocates positions that reduce the municipality's climate impact and forwards those positions to City Council. The City also maintains a Corporate Climate Action Plan for all municipally -owned property ( see https://www.kitchener. ca/en/resourcesGeneral/Documents/DSD_Kitcheners_Corporate_Climate_Action_P lan.pdf ). This Action plan is developing a regional flood plan in collaboration with the Grand River Conservation Authority; expanding existing Stormwater management plans (inclusive of habitat expansion and increased credits in the Habitat Bank with the Idlewood Creek Restoration Project; see https://www.stantec.com/en/projects/canada-projects/i/idlewood-creek-dam-removal); advocating for tree preservation that considers future climate conditions, and for increasing "tree shade in urban areas and positioned to help mitigate flooding, wind and heat in open spaces and grounds of facilities." As mentioned in section 2.1, the City is currently restoring Strasberg Creek (https://www.engagewr.ca/northstrasburgcreek), and Schneider, and Shoemaker Creeks (https://www.engagewr.ca/schneidercreckea). They are also upgrading Cherry Park stormwater features (https://www.engagewr.ca/cherrypark). Prior wetland restoration projects include Filsinger Park (https://www.fivessr.com/portfolio/fish-habitat-bank-city-of-kitchener-on) and Balzer Creek. The City of Kitchener's tree planting programs depend on the urban Tree Canopy Report, which includes haat iclanil manning ac an indirntnr of city calartinn (caa nnaoc _R of '• . • completion by Nature Canada) Page 76 of 1727 ii,,,,,,i it ii....�ii,,,,, ire i1 IS ii,,,.....r 30 Based on the City of Kitchener's Urban Forest Strategy, in January 2022, city council approved a tree canopy target of 30% in each ward by 2050 and a target of 33% across Kitchener by 2070. This targeted approach to growing the tree canopy over time will involve new tree planting, as well as increasing the maintenance of existing trees. (see https://www.kitchener.ca/en/strategic-plans-and-projects/urban-forest-strategy.aspx) The City of Kitchener maintains an urban forest map that tracks upcoming and ongoing forestry work around the city. This includes a street tree inventory (see https://open-kitchenergis.opendata.arcgis.com/datasets/tree-inventory/explore?location=43.436669% 2C -80.470356%2C13.00), as well as an ongoing community-based consultation for determining increases and tree canopy targets for specific neighbourhoods (https://www.engagewr.ca/treecanopytarget). One such outcome of this consultation and collected inventory data is increasing community tree canopy in the Chandler Mowat neighbourhood (see https://www.engagewr.ca/CommunityCanopyChandler). Page 77 of 177 2A (II3) SINAG IDIRO F If;;;;; C F 11 l IHOW CIR11 FII::.::.: II IIS II:::::. F While a number of Environmental Impact Assessments for development of sites within Kitchener city limits do address the existence of snags, particularly as they relate to maintaining healthy habitat for Species at Risk, the city of Kitchener has no official policy statement regarding snags or snag protection. Page 78 of 1737 ,. () I13I1:: 0 FIEC F1101IN OF F1R11::.::..'1ES 11 1OW C I II ,,,,r II:::::: II IIS mii::.::: ,,,,r As shown in the following table, the City of Kitchener has bylaws set in place for the protection and maintenance of trees on city property. Trees on private property are also protected from being cutdown without permits. The Director of Enforcement is responsible for overseeing enforcement by delegates through inspections made by entering the property at any reasonable time and persons or corporations found to violate Chapter 692 is liable to a fine. bylaw Prot -Aland Uuotm rilfantUPY ..Gd.............Idy upkee.......... MAY prop upkeep •."rhe D.l...ada mel ag..holm@rs alothor eurnaf..aod ru..eetud.lo do all acts nrarmtlsery to.... p Y g Y CiC a9 Ke otiontlr � aws Mmi el Code ''.... Y ( p Y amnd rnadn�ananc'a of n provide for lhwm Wanting, care raw aanainlarrar5ca of sll trees on City property.' SaCCion '1©. properly Mridrtaararrca I ty trees. Chapter 690'Irmas bylaw Aniola 2.2 '..... pratectlon agva"M No Peru- nest City of Ktch rete 90— (lobo kolpal Code) darnayasof hoes. by a) daiacm. out, pollard, brrjuha, sau+xa cnrtnpach- to or othatw'a;a darnaga or S�artion ICI. property Maintan-re CIWUIiams or consM dw, dl,Wr y and free or part thereo;. C%pttlr 6M rheas Hyla. on City pratol rt'y. b) damage, destroy or eammvm any supporl0ng post, atak. or ward ottaahred to or aroand a he.: or, cy cul dawn, roof up ar rart— any tram or part thereof, whother fiving or oe"'" Ankle 3.1 "Awry contractor, oorrmisslon or caaporat'for or any other organization, parson w hddvldwal, having a Contract for paviny strm&t ,. cdnsnuculng sl—bos or oxcauatirdg or dung any work on City pr'oper'ty, shall whorl axacuaatg srch wont. or cone.et take, ell mecdssary sfdps to —od imquldog any fire.... " Article 4.1 Proleshon against ham "Injury to hoofs-prohainted-without permit" City of Kitchener 90aws (Munoo'ilpal Cade) do,'I caarn on p.bho Section 'le. Property IMaintananCa Property without s Artid. 2.2.1 Chaptlr 6f12�'ares-Protsodoo-D.r,ouctio- permit. Id,ory "Slo-ilk E.—rrliomm Hand less an 't role O"ad-disaasad-hazardous trees -calif l d Oamaryed-daattayad lmoas car fiord T— within 9 metras of oseopind ba hg 'trail-wNRilm 1,1dling mhad p.-p.rorol ia�sued Small troac'" .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. Arnot, 4.146 Entower of for '1nspa lkr-erda'y upon 6aet f at any reasonabda Limen' City of Kllfienar 90aws (Murkipal Cafe) prWootian altrose art Semtior 10 Properly Mrinaaoaercm pnv'mte prapeny Ankle 13.2 Chopttlr 692-Croda-Protoctlor-13.0 ctia- slow,: Ippury ay Ilsp-ti-s "Fine -gar oonttsoont'�er-pareon" b) fines Article 141 32 Page 79 of 177 2.401 F IE S 11:10 IN S 11 113 II,,,,. IE VIlf;;;;G IE Tall IN MA1INAGIEM1I::.::..,IN r IHOW C I II f If;;; I II IIS If;;;;; F The City of Kitchener follows "Good Forestry Practices" by restricting the removal of vegetation when the Director deems the damage would have a significant impact on the health of the vegetation community or on wildlife habitat at the site or/and in proximity to the site (Bylaw Trees Protection Destruction Injury 692.8.3). Mitigation strategies include conditions on permits which can control the method and timing of the damage to trees which can take into account nesting period for breeding birds (Bylaw Trees Protection Destruction Injury 692.9.1). The Tree Management Policy of the City of Kitchener greatly recommends tree removal and pruning completed during the winter months (Tree Management Policy- Appendix J) https://www.kitchener.ca/en/bylaws-and-enforcement/municipal-code.aspx#6-Facility https://www.kitchener.ca/enlresourcesGenerallDocuments/INS_OPS_Treemanagementpolicy.pdf The City of Kitchener conducts an Environmental Impact Study (EIS) for proposed development in or in proximity to a significant natural area or feature. Early consultation is in accordance with the Migratory Birds Convention Act and Endangered Species Act which use breeding bird surveys to determine presence and requires stoppage or/and mitigation strategies for protected bird species during breeding and nesting periods. https://www.kitchener.ca/en/water-and-environment/environmental-impact-study.aspx Page 80 of 1737 2.5 II M I1:3 0 F FAIN F I[3 II D AIRIEA I I If II: (IIIBA) II,,,,,,i c II II ..r If;;;;; IIS II IIS mii::.::;; r There are no IBAs in the region. However, some Locally Significant Wetlands and Woodlands were assessed by the city in 2014. No development is permitted in these areas. Please see page 24 and 32-33 of https://www. kitchener.ca/en/resourcesGeneral/Documents/DSD_PLAN_Natural_Heritage_Systems_Backg round_Report.pdf 34 Page 81 of 177 2.6 INA r II I I1:::`1 0 11:1 A M U IN II C II IFIA II,,,,. II,,,,,,A IN II: IHOW CRII F If;;; II IIS U If;;;;; F Kitchener promotes site -appropriate native flora in buffers, parks, and stormwater projects. The City of Kitchener's Urban Design Manual (3.0) states in its "Landscaping and Site Furnishing Zone Guidelines": #13, "Resilient and native tree species that are able to withstand an urban setting with minimal maintenance are preferred." The Urban Design Manual 15.0 further states "The planting of aggressive non-native species within or adjacent to woodlands or natural areas is discouraged in order to help safeguard the long term ecological integrity of these areas." Section 14 of the Urban Design Manual contains a list of trees and shrubs native to the Waterloo Region and a list of aggressive alien species which are not to be planted in the vicinity of woodlands and natural areas. In their "Design for Climate Change" section, the Urban Design Manual states, "Introduce green infrastructure along existing and new public open spaces including; bioswales, groundwater infiltration areas and permeable surface treatments; native planting species which enhance urban wildlife habitats; energy efficient, human -scaled and wildlife friendly lighting fixtures and; locally sourced, recycled and reusable materials." The Urban Design Manual promotes the planting and maintenance of both native and non-native trees in subdivisions; however, section M.2.10 "Species Diversity" states that "no one genus can exceed 20% of the total planted trees" (157) in new subdivisions. You can view links to these statements here: Page 82 of 173 ..7 INATIVIE II.....0 11:1 A P R 11 VAT ..... IP 11:10FI IE IR FY II......i If II IISIi::.:: r 36 The city of Kitchener is officially a Bee City, committed to protecting pollinators across our community. Pollinated plants provide a third of our food, and by planting native plants throughout Kitchener in pollinator gardens, we can support our bee population that in turn support us. Please see https://www.kitchener.ca/en/water-and-environment/pollinators.aspx The City of Kitchener also partners with Reep Green Solutions, supporting their Backyard Tree Planting Program (https://reepgreen.ca/trees/), and Rain Smart Neighbourhoods program (https://reepgreen.ca/rain-smart/). Page 83 of 177 2.8S ,,,F P OV I[;R & IN IE S FIIING II,,,,,,1A11:311 ,,,FAT II,,,,,,1 OW CIR 11 TIERIIA IIS MIE,,,T 1. At Sprucehaven, a family-owned farm has been consistently taking fields out of production and committing themselves to various stewardship initiatives for bird species at risk. They provide 25 Eastern bluebird and tree swallow boxes; have dedicated their barn completely to barn and cliff swallows; they've converted 42 acres of soybean crop to native tall -grass prairie that has been now home to Vesper sparrows and Savannah sparrows, and have had initial scouting activities by Eastern Meadowlarks and Bobolinks. They've allowed public and educational outreach on their property, including field ecology classes for regional universities and K-12 education, and work with local naturalist groups. Email owner Dave Westfall, owner, at djwestfall@hotmail.com for more information. 2. At Handy Dog farm, owner Victoria Lamont has practiced sustainable haying practices on her hayfields, cordoning off selections of fields to allow for bobolinks to nest. Email Victoria Lamont <vlamont@uwaterloo.ca> for more details. 3. Adjacent to Sprucehaven, Jeff Grant and Peter Bissett have installed a bluebird trail on private property with approximately 10 bluebird boxes. Email jeffgrantl3@gmail.com for more details. 4. At rare Charitable Research Reserve, two barn swallow structures have been set up as alternative nesting habitats for the birds. The also host an interactive educational swallow structure on their property. Page 84 of 1737 ENTRY 9 points from at least 3 categories. INTERMEDIATE 12 points from at least 4 categories. HIGH 15 points from at least 6 categories including at least 1 point from categories 2.1, 2.2, 2.3 and 2.4. 38 Page 85 of 177 Page 86 of 173 .`III " Ilh III IIL...III III III'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.IItt l A Sl III[: ......Ilh....11l III II.)U( .IIL III GII11 Ilh 111" M � III: ...... III; III:: III... Kitchener has a variety of organizations and school programs with nature and bird -focused outreach, which are detailed below. 1) Waterloo Region Nature: *Teens Club: https://waterlooregionnature.ca/teens/ WRN Teens is a club sponsored by Waterloo Region Nature to encourage kids ages 13+ to learn about the environment while helping it. The club currently engages in weekly Saturday morning monitoring from April to October at a farm just outside of Waterloo. We do about 20 weeks of monitoring salamanders, tree frogs, snakes and nest boxes for Eastern Bluebirds, 2 hours each time, all of which qualify as high school volunteer hours. Through involvement in these monitoring efforts, teens learn scientific procedures for data collection while learning more about the species they are monitoring. The club is also involve in Saturday afternoon work projects or learning projects once or twice a month at a various locations. In the past year, Teens projects involving birds included an owl prowl, 2 birding outings, the Christmas Bird Count for Kids (sponsored by rare Charitable Reserve Reserve), several invasive plant removals to improve habitats, and about 16 weeks of nest box monitoring. *Kids Club: https://waterlooregionnature.ca/kids/ WRN Kids is a club sponsored by Waterloo Region Nature to encourage kids ages 7-12 to enjoy nature. During the 2022-2023 season WRN Kids went on a butterfly hike, a nature scavenger hunt, a birding hike, and an archaeology hike which included a demonstration of how to knap stone tools. WRN Kids participated in the Christmas Bird Count for Kids, went on an owl prowl, hand -fed Chickadees and built chaltarc Cnrinct hrnna'ht a nraclatnr_nray mama aarth clay ctarhaa'a rlaannn and n nnnrl ctnrly --------------------------------------------------------------- '• . • (for completionby Nature Canada) 40 Page 87 of 177 '11] 03) (" Ilh 111 III IIL... III : III III''''''''' IIIA I III:: U ...... Ilh....11l III' III III III .III Ilh 111ow C IR III I 13 111 A III S MIII I... Ontario Nature Youth Circle for Mother Earth (https://ontarionature.org/programs/nature-guardians/ycme� The Youth Circle for Mother Earth project aims to create and support a cross cultural network of young Indigenous and non -Indigenous environmental leaders looking to honour their responsibilities and relationship with Mother Earth. The project is led by the Indigenous Environmental Institute at Trent University, Plenty Canada, Walpole Island Land Trust, and Ontario Nature. rare Every Child Outdoors (ECO) program ECO camps subsidize underpriviledged youth/families to be able to attend camp, sometimes these youth are from marginalized or racialized families. ECO Camps feature bird specific programming, bird watching and bird specific presentations from researchers at rare or community organizations (e.g. Eastern logger -head shrike presentation by Helmi Hess from Wildlife Preservation Canada, raptor specific presentations from Wild Ontario). The rare Charitable Research Reserve provides transportation and program subsidies to many schools across Kitchener (or Waterloo Region as a whole), including 6 visits each from alternative education programs from the WRDSB like U -Turn Cambridge, U -Turn Waterloo, New Dawn, Elev8 etc. Many of the programs youth from these programs attend includes specific bird related programs (One station in Animals in Motion program (KG -Gr 2), many guided hikes feature bird education on ospreys, bald eagles and other birds). Page 88 of 1747 . 01 cIlh 111 III IIL III III III . II'i' III YO U...U(` ...... Ilh 111ow C IR III I 13 111 A III S MIII I... Waterloo Region District Schoolboard (WRDSB) hosts virtual activities for Winter Bird Count and Backyard Bird count for WRDSB students. They provide tutorials on e -bird and identifying key birdspecies in Kitchener. The Winter Bird Count is hosted in December to Janurary (see https:Hschools.wrdsb.ca/environmental-education/citizen-science/winter-bird-counts. The Backyard Bird count is a five day event and open to all ages of students in April. The WRDSB has outdoor and environmental education centers. This includes the Huron Natural Area, Blair Outdoor Education Center, Laurel Creek Outdoor Education Centre, and Wrigley Corners. Please refer to the following table for more detailed information. Huron Natural Blair laurel Creek Area r Growth and • Winter Birds: r Winter Birds: Change in Habitats and Habitat and Animals (Gr. Communities Communities 2) (Gr. 4) (Gr. 4) r nature hikes • students • students looking for learn about loam about animals birds, birds, including habitats, habitats, birds structural structural adaptations adaptations during a hike during a hike 42 Page 89 of 177 IIL IIL III III''''''''' IIIA III:: IIIA III III III:% III ...... '::: III: Ilh 111ow CRIIIIII'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'. Ilf III A III S M The University of Waterloo Society for Ecological Restoration has a bird -window collision monitoring volunteer program that surveys the campus for bird -window collisions. These surveys contribute to bird collision mortality data collection. In April 2024 a glass walkway between Student Life Centre and Math and Computing building was retrofitted with bird -safe window markers. There are plans to continue mitigating risks to birds on campus and updating the building code standards. UW -SER also hosts birding hikes on and off campus. (Supporting material: instagram @seruwaterloo) In addition, the University of Waterloo Animal Rights Society displayed posters on preventing bird -window collisions on the 2023 Clubs Day. The University of Waterloo Sustainability Office also hosted a BioBlitz and led a guided bird walk on May 6, 2024. The University of Waterloo currently convenes a "Bird Friendly Campus" group, consisting of members from the University's Office of Sustainability, Birds Canada, the Department of Biology, the Faculty of Environment, and the co-chair of the BFC Kitchener Bird Team. They seek to make safer bird spaces on campus, and are currently working with Birds Canada on a campus native plant garden space to attract aerial insecrtivores. Contact Jennifer Clary -Lemon j clarylemon@uwaterloo. ca or Trevor M. Swerdfager trevor.swerdfager@uwaterloo.ca for more information. Page 90 of 1747 �w � w: � � IIIN III ... ...I... I III 1 ::� IIL.. III; : ... III IIIR w .. .':p� .: � �� � w ... � I.. w: III; ...I... Ilh 11DW "III III III; III °III I5111 WI; I... The City of Kitchener offers Bee City Events that coordinate with bird -friendly events: see https:Hbeecitycanada.org/celebrating-bee-cities-kitchener-and-waterloo/ The rare Charitable Research Reserve also engages bird monitoring surveys for the Eramosa Corridor to capture data on bird migration during the spring and fall months. In the spring, this started April 5th for 6 weekends until June 23rd . In the fall, this will begin on August 16 and go until November 3rd. This is a volunteer driven research network with all data contributed to eBird. You can find record of this event here: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/raresites_nationalvolunteerweek-activity-7186045789381496832-zmSQ/ 44 Page 91 of 177 4" III:° III IIL III :: III II j SL..I IIL IIL... ..tq SIII::: III: III; III:° .. :: ...I...III 0 II°' Ilh 11DW 0l I III ...IIL..' III'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'. Ilf III A III S MIII III A public art installation titled Hirondelusia (https://cafka21.cafka.org/critical-media-lab; see also https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FB-U7ujTCI8 for a description of installation piece) was "retired" to rare charitable eco reserve, where it is now an educational structure to inform the public about barn swallow mitigative habitats (see https://drive.google.com/f"ile/d/lSPODQmDsnBOSjlDgZGzVawnT91H11XAQ/view? usp=drive link for a picture of its new home). Two members of the bird team are working on bringing a swallow conservationist to the region to showcase her work with creating clay cliff swallow nests as a public art intervention. You can read the email trail for this conversation, which will result in a public art installation at the Clay and Glass Gallery in 2025, here: https:Hdrive.google.com/file/d/ 1 n3VIGNyMx-SDdHzXtJp5cYewd2NsUS9O/view?usp=drive link) Finally, you can observe bird -related art in a variety of municipal natural areas. You can view examples here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1 QaAFm_UIE5Ed4pm-kiCXgpMmr7NLJEA6/view?usp=drive link Page 92 of 174 3.5 .... Ilh: m.. IIL ��.... ....." °. III III: IIL........ III; III:�� III III: III:::.... �' ����� '':::' ���� �° .. .... L.""'� III � � m L.., � �� �... „�. III � �m Ilh 111ow CIII:° III IIL III; III:° IIIA III S MIII; IIL Huron Natural Area, free parking off Trillium Dr. GRT route #28 stops at the park entrance. Public washrooms are available. Trails are a mix of asphalt, stone dust and natural surface. Trails are well marked and colour-coded for easy navigation. One ground level viewing platform and two wooden boardwalks. A huge number of bird -species can be spotted at HNA. It is one of the most popular birding spots in the city and voted Waterloo Region Nature's top greenspace in the region. Willow River (Victoria) Park in downtown Kitchener. Accessible for pedestrians, biking and by public transit (routes #1, 20 and 204). Free parking is available off Jubilee St in two locations and one off Schneider Ave. Public washrooms are available. The park's trails are asphalt and wide; they connect to the Iron Horse/TransCanada Trail. Otis and Ophelia, the city's mascot mute swan pair, live at the park seasonally. Birds spotted in the park range from common waterfowl to pileated woodpeckers and migrating warblers. Lakeside Park is an urban greenspace in Kitchener. It is within a reasonable (under —2km) walking distance of many neighbourhoods and accessible by several transit routes. Paved paths facilitate wheelchair travel. It is connected to many water and greenway corridors throughout the city. The Kitchener section of the Walter Bean Trail goes from Blair Road to Kiwanis Park. The trail continues South into Cambridge and North through Waterloo. The trail mainly follows along the Grand River and, except for a few sections, is very accessible. The trail crosses the river, with the southernmost section being on the east side, the northern sections being located on the west side of the river. The trail runs through Kitchener, Waterloo and Cambridge and Kitrhnnor is nrniid that mnra than 9Kkm B.L. the City from nnrth to cniith n1nna the C -rand River Mnct of 46 Page 93 of 177 IIL... IIL III III III: IIC III III III III; III° III ° IIL... III U ' III IVB III; S SIII; Ilh 111(w)w CIII III ...111..111; III IIIA III S M The following is a list of bird -friendly businesses, inclusive of their websites and activities: Princess Cinemas, https://princesscinemas.com/ Hosted showing of "Purple Haze" (purple martin documentary) for World Migratory Bird Day TWB Brewing https://www.twbbrewing.com/ Hosts Bird -Bingo nights and has offered to sponsor a "City Bird" beer upon BFC Certification Wild Birds Unlimited https://www.facebook.com/WBUKitchener/ Marketing bird feed and other bird -related products in Kitchener Ontario Seed Company https://www.oscseeds.com/contact/ Processing and marketing bird seed and feeder for many years. Plant in Kitchener, shop in Waterloo Ontario Die International https://www.ontariodie.com/contact-us/ A manufacturing company with natural landscaping on site Allied Real Estate Investment Trust https://alliedreit.com/properties/195-joseph-street/ Allierl's rnimoers at 195 Insenh St Kitrhener wnrked to restnre an inrinstrial stark When the danaer of the Page 94 of 1747 III...IIL.. ' III3IIIIII:'III:��� Ilh 111 '"D 311 III; 111 111A III S MIII I... We are in the process of selecting a city bird (see October 11, 2024 https://www.therecord.com/news/waterloo-region/contest-to-name-kitchener-s-official-bird-takes-flight/ar ticle_4d6aaf61-ea85-5bca-8f01-8166ac5aed4£html). The election of a City Bird will be a public vote shared through our social media platforms. We have been in touch with TWB Brewing, who has offered to create and promote a "City Bird" beer with Kitchener's elected bird, once the initiative has passed Council. 48 Page 95 of 177 ......III '���:��:�� III III:�� ...... ������ III:��1 Y ���� III II� 1...0 M 0 B III10 0 III�:!�I [�3 III I!I IE S Ilh 111 "III 't III ...111..1; III III A III S M The municipality engages in local programs through Waterloo Region nature and rare Charitable Reserve such as the Christmas Bird Count (https://waterlooregionnature.ca/event/christmas-bird-count-2023-kitchener/), Great Backyard Bird Count (https://waterlooregionnature.ca/2020/02/19/great-backyard-bird-count-2020/), Bioblitz (https://ontarionature.org/event/rare-2024-bioblitz/; https://waterlooregionnature.ca/event/sprucehaven-nature-inventory-blitz-8/), Swiftwatch, Outings to which the public is welcome. (see rare's newsletter at https://myemail-api.constantcontact.com/rare-eNews-for-Early-April.html?) Page 96 of 1747 III l III" � ALL LEVELS MUST DO 3.1 ENTRY 7 points from at least 3 categories. INTERMEDIATE 9 points from at least 5 categories. HIGH 11 points from at least 7 categories. so Page 97 of 177 CURRENT AS OF: September 4, 2024 Current as of July 2024 1. Jennifer Clary -Lemon, University of Waterloo, jclarylemon@uwaterloo.ca 2. David Gascoigne, Waterloo Region Nature, davidmgascoigne@gmail.com 3. Paul Groleau, Feather Friendly, pgroleau@featherfriendly.com 4. Natasha Barlow, Birds Canada, nbarlow@birdscanada.org 5. Bob Williams, r j.williams0440gmail.com 6. Roderick Hornby, Waterloo Region Nature (Teens), roderickhornbyphotography@gmail.com 7. Victoria Lamont, University of Waterloo, vlamont@uwaterloo.ca 8. Meredith Blunt, Independent Artist meredith@birdnerd.art or meredith.blunt@gmail.com 9. Marcel O'Gorman, University of Waterloo Critical Media Lab, marcel@uwaterloo.ca 10. Ethan Gosnell, University of Waterloo(undergrad),egosnell@uwaterloo.ca 11. Yu -Ting Chen, University of Waterloo, yu-ting.chen 1 @uwaterloo.ca 12. Roger Suffling , U of Waterloo/Waterloo Region Nature, resuffli@uwaterloo.ca 13. Kathy Mortimer, Waterloo Region Nature, kathy.mortimer@speedymail.org 14. Keira McManus, University of Waterloo/ UW -SER, k4mcmanus@uwaterloo.ca 15. Amanda Armstrong, University of Waterloo/ UW -SER, am2armst@uwaterloo.ca 16. Istafa Sufi, rare Charitable Research Reserve, istafa.sufi@raresites.org 17. Gabriel Evans -Cook, Birds Canada, gevanscook@birdscanada.org Page 98 of 1757 I w Page 99 of 177 Welcome to the Bird Friendly Kitchener City Bird Vote! 2025-04-15, 1018 AM WELCOME TO THE BIRD FRIENDLY KITCHENER CITY BIRD VOTE! Pick your favourite from the Killdeer, the Merlin, the Dark -Eyed Junco and the Chimney Swift and help us elect Kitchener's city bird! Read through the profiles of our city bird candidates including images provided by wonderful local photographers. Then make your selection at the bottom of the page. Thank you for participating! Email * Killdeer - Charadrius vociferus Adaptable and noisy, the Killdeer is a member of the plover family that has become as at home in urban centres as they are in farmland and wetlands. With a flair for the dramatic, Killdeer always let us know they nearby calling their own name enthusiastically. https://docs.googIe.com/forms/d/1419bPJiwwgx4ceBUXK4CTGGUUh8gm9vioqu486nAS3A/printform Page 1 of 7 Page 100 of 177 Welcome to the Bird Friendly Kitchener City Bird Vote! Killdeer - Photograph by David Gascoigne 2025-04-15, 1018 AM Merlin - Falco columbarius A powerful, compact falcon. It's rapid chatter -like call and fast, patrolling flights have become familiar acros many cities and towns as the awesome little falcon has recovered from declining numbers once we banned DDT use in pesticides. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/l419bPJiwwgx4ceBUXK4CTGGUUh8gm9vioqu486nAS3A/printform Page 2 of 7 Page 101 of 177 Welcome to the Bird Friendly Kitchener City Bird Vote! Merlin - Photograph by Michelle Labadie Lang 2025-04-15, 1018 AM Dark -Eyed Junco - Junco hyemalis Dark -Eyed Junco - A cheery little sparrow and common visitor in backyards and parks across Kitchener throe the long winter months. Juncos brightly flash the white on their outer tail feathers in zippy, energetic flight. They chirp away so that it seems they have lots to say and think about. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/l419bPJiwwgx4ceBUXK4CTGGUUh8gm9vioqu486nAS3A/printform Page 3 of 7 Page 102 of 177 Welcome to the Bird Friendly Kitchener City Bird Vote! Dark Eyed Junco - Photograph by Carl Leisegang 2025-04-15, 1018 AM Chimney Swift - Chaetura pelagica A wonderful aerial insectivore, Kitchener has chimney swifts flying through the city skies taking thousands c biting insects out of the air for their meals. Now a threatened species, restoring chimney swift numbers and habitats is an important project across the province and country. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/l419bPJiwwgx4ceBUXK4CTGGUUh8gm9vioqu486nAS3A/printform Page 4 of 7 Page 103 of 177 Welcome to the Bird Friendly Kitchener City Bird Vote! 2025-04-15, 1018 AM Chimney Swift - Photograph of Chimney Swift in flight by Ev Danis. Inset photograph by George K. Peck for ontario.ca 2. Time to vote!! You can pick only one! Mark only one oval. �. Killdeer Merlin Dark -Eyed Junco Chimney Swift https://docs.google.com/forms/d/l419bPJiwwgx4ceBUXK4CTGGUUh8gm9vioqu486nAS3A/printform Page 5 of 7 Page 104 of 177 Welcome to the Bird Friendly Kitchener City Bird Vote! 2025-04-15, 10:18 AM "This content is neither created rior endorsed by Google. Google Forms https:lldocs.google.com/forms/d/l4lgbPJiwwgx4ceBUXK4CTGGUUh8qm9vioqu486nAS3A/printform Page 6 of 7 Page 105 of 177 Welcome to the Bird Friendly Kitchener City Bird Vote! 2025-04-15, 1018 AM https://docs.google.com/forms/d/l419bPJiwwgx4ceBUXK4CTGGUUh8gm9vioqu486nAS3A/printform Page 7 of 7 Page 106 of 177 Message for respondents T1 i ii s for,I'tr Is no Ilorrgeir accepth ),,q respoi)ses Questi lorl Rinne to vote!! You can pick only or - mm= Dark -Eyed, Junco Chimney SwA CO) 1 570 responses CO) 3 ur sponses Viae hi Sheets --Hde opflourns 222 respoinses Page 107 of 177 Time to vote!! You can pick only one! 1,265 responses 0 Killdeer Merlin Dark -Eyed Junco Chimney Swift Page 108 of 177