Is Bird Town PA coming to Chadds Ford?

Did you know yesterday was National Bird Day? Now you do! 🐦 So it’s a great time to tell you about the Bird Town initiative currently weaving its way through the Chadds Ford Township approval process (hopefully coming to a big, bird-bath splashing ‘yes’ vote soon). 🤞🏻

Initially born in a cozy nest at Audubon Pennsylvania, Bird Town Pennsylvania, “works in partnership with local municipalities and like-minded organizations to promote community-based conservation actions to create a healthier, more sustainable environment for birds, wildlife, and people.” Through activities, online resource guides, partnerships, educational materials, and more, Bird Town PA brings neighbors together for the birds (and the bees, bugs, butterflies, and other beasts too).

Bird Town PA helps government leaders coordinate community-led groups to organize and obtain certification as official partners of their programs. The cost to participate is minimal and requires groups to meet certification requirements (primarily to ensure they have sufficient human capital to sustain themselves over the long term and that activities align with the objectives of Bird Town PA). The qualification requirements are not particularly burdensome, provided a few community members are willing to volunteer to organize events.

Neighboring Bird Town PA Groups

In our neck of Penn’s woods, Kennett, Concord, Bethel, and Westtown townships have already achieved Bird Town PA certification. Their Bird Town groups host a handful of community events tailored to local interests and volunteer efforts.

Events engage neighbors in educational and ecosystem development activities that meet their needs. Recently, Concord hosted a Bird Walk. Bethel Bird Town volunteers have worked with the Rachel Kohl Library to host events, including a native seed-planting program.

A quick ride up Route 202, Bird Town Phoenixville went all out and hosted Flocktoberfest this fall. The event included nature journaling demos, live ambassador birds (how cool!), “Singing Songbird” music series, kids’ nature activities, and more.

The Bird Town PA organization offers a range of resources to support local groups in hosting events, including a seven-page list of goals and activities to serve as a starting point. There’s no need for each group to rebuild the “nest” of engagement ideas, yet they can expand their wings and host wild events like Flocktoberfest if they wish. 

Is Bird Town good for Chadds Ford?

I sure think so! Bird Town PA claims it’s for the birds, but it’s probably for the humans even more. Having a group provides a platform for incorporating sustainability into our physical environment while also (and most importantly!) bringing neighbors together for good. A Bird Town Chadds Ford group could even collaborate with organizations like the library or the Chadds Ford Township Residents Association to host events.

There’s really no downside to a well-functioning Bird Town group in our town. If there are not enough volunteers, the group may fizzle. But I think that’s unlikely and would have few meaningful consequences beyond a bit of lost time and effort and the $100 sign-up fee.

Is Bird Town PA coming to Chadds Ford?

Over the summer, three Chadds Ford residents (Anna and Emma Marcotte and Brenda Grove) expressed interest in volunteering to lead a Bird Town Chadds Ford group. In a community like ours, there are almost certainly more residents who would be stoked about helping a Bird Town program take flight. Sufficient community support appears available.

The initiative was first presented to the Open Space Committee on June 18, 2025. Since then, the matter has migrated through many municipal meetings. The Open Space Committee discussed logistics, cost, and commitment details on July 16, Sept 17, and Oct 15, 2025. At Board of Supervisors Workshops and Meetings, participation in the Bird Town PA program was mentioned (though not discussed in detail) on Sept 24, Oct 9, and Oct 22.

Although they have not yet voted formally, the Open Space Committee seems enthusiastic about the program and eager to let community volunteers run with the opportunity. But it’s been held up by what appear to be procedural formalities. The Bird Town PA program was an Action Item (i.e., scheduled for a vote and, if approved, forwarded for review to the Supervisors) at the October 15 Open Space Committee meeting. But a formal vote was paused.

Apparently (and I’m not sure why), the item must be presented to the Supervisors for review first; then the Open Space Committee can vote on it and send it back to them for approval. Or something? 🤷🏻‍♀️

I don’t understand the order of operations. Government operates at a snail’s pace (sometimes for good reason, but man, it requires a serious dose of patience). Hopefully, we’ll get the go-ahead soon so the excited volunteers can get to work and the fledgling Bird Town Chadds Ford can fly.

In the meantime…

Make your yard a “bird town” paradise

While we wait for the supervisors to (hopefully) pass a formal resolution allowing Chadds Ford residents and the Open Space Committee to form a Bird Town PA chapter in our town, you can take action in your green spaces. Create backyard (or front yard, side yard, balcony 😉) bird habitats at home. Birdtown PA created a list of at-home habitat certification programs that can help you:

• know what to plant and how to build healthy, native habitats for birds, pollinators, insects, and other animals in your yard
• register those gardens and green spaces, and be part of related citizen science efforts
• engage with like-minded neighbors and communities, each doing their part to build a better ecosystem that supports biodiversity and a healthier environment for all of us

Every little bit counts, and it all adds up.

We registered our yard as a Certified Wildlife Habitat with the National Wildlife Federation a few years ago. I added the sign to my mailbox post to spark conversations and curiosity from my neighbors. Meeting these guidelines also qualifies our yard for some of the additional certifications Bird Town PA mentioned.

Let township leaders know if you’re interested in Bird Town Chadds Ford

If Bird Town Chadds Ford excites you, be sure to let township leaders know you want to see it come to life in our town. Let them know if you’re able to volunteer and why it’s important to you. Contact the township here.

Uncertainty about community interest appears to be one of the biggest hurdles preventing this initiative from taking flight. Encouraging the township to move forward with this community program will let them know neighbors support it and look forward to building a Bird Town at home.

What other questions do you have?

What else do you want to know about Bird Town? How do you think it would benefit Chadds Ford?

Excerpts from the Open Space Committee Meeting minutes regarding Bird Town PA (for reference):

If you’re interested in the specifics discussed at each meeting regarding Bird Town PA, I’ve included excerpts from the Open Space Committee meeting minutes below. They provide more insight into the specific questions that arose regarding moving toward a formal resolution to approve a Bird Town Chadds Ford program.

June 18, 2025:

“Bird Town PA: Committee reviewed certification steps, which include passing a resolution, forming a Bird Town Committee, and submitting an application with a $100 fee. An evaluation of the criteria needs to be considered to see what the Township has already met with existing practices. The Committee expressed enthusiasm and agreed to continue exploring participation. E. Pisani agreed to look further into the criteria.”

July 16, 2025:

“Bird Town PA – Committee discussed preliminary steps to join Bird Town PA, including passing a resolution, forming a committee, and submitting a $100 application. Staff noted that many program requirements align with existing Township activities but would need a dedicated volunteer head the initiative. A preliminary review of the levels suggested the Township may already meet some of the criteria. The Committee expressed interest in learning more and will proceed with scheduling a meeting with Bird Town PA representatives. No action was taken.”

Sept 17, 2025:

“Bird Town Pennsylvania: Chair Mattes reported that he and Township staff met with Bird Town PA representative, Heidi Shiver, who provided an overview of the program. M. Arzola explained that the Township has already implemented some of the activities necessary to participate in the program. The Committee discussed the need to assess if they are able to take on additional responsibilities and the support of volunteers for the formation of an ad hoc committee.”

Public Comment: Anna and Emma Marcotte – Expressed interest in the Bird Town PA initiative and volunteered to serve on a Bird Town Committee if established.