Dripping Springs achieves bird city designation

The City of Dripping Springs has been designated as a Bird City by Audubon Texas and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, partners in the Bird City Texas initiative. The City of Dripping Springs received the certification recognizing its efforts to ensure birds, wildlife and people thrive in its community.

Bird City Texas is a community-focused certification program that was created to help people protect birds and their habitats where they live, work, and recreate. The criteria required to attain certification are designed to be impactful and efficient against habitat loss and other harmful factors impacting birds.

The Dripping Springs designation came as the result of a joint effort by the Dripping Springs Birding Club, Texas Master Naturalists, Wild Birds Unlimited and Destination Dripping Springs.

The city and its partners work hand in hand throughout the year to offer and showcase all there is to do and support for the bird conservation movement in Dripping Springs.

“Achieving our Bird City Texas designation is a badge of honor that reflects the incredible work the city and its aviary enthusiast partners are doing in the community to support bird conservation, education and outreach,” said Kelly Schmidt, Dripping Springs parks and community services director. “Collectively, the Bird City collaborative body is beyond ecstatic at achieving this incredible honor. We are all looking forward to moving the conservation meter… celebrating the birding world and community efforts.”

In receiving the designation, Dripping Springs exhibited leadership in three categories: Community Engagement, Habitat Protection and Threat Reduction. Its Bird City Texas certification will last through 2024.

There have been eight certified communities in the three years of the program, according to Audubon Texas. The Bird City Texas communities are able to leverage this designation to attract more of the 2.2 million bird watchers in the state, a major driver in the $1.8 billion economic impact from Texan wildlife viewing.

“The Bird City Texas partners designed this program to be a rigorous commitment to conservation that engages people from all walks of life,” said Yvette Stewart, community outreach coordinator for Audubon Texas. “As our state population grows, wildlife are going to need more attention and support from dedicated, passionate and proactive people. This is why we’re so proud of the work being done by Dripping Springs, and we’re thrilled to welcome them into the certified communities.”

“From their community science and education opportunities to their proactive approach to transportation needs, Dripping Springs has enacted meaningful criteria that support birds and a variety of wildlife,” she concluded.

Olivia Haun, outreach specialist for the Wildlife Diversity Program at TPWD, echoed similar sentiments.

“We are incredibly proud of Dripping Springs,” Haun said. “They put an enormous amount of effort into this application and have shown true dedication to the future of their community. People and wildlife will continue to benefit from their proactive work for generations to come.”

Dripping Springs holds a variety of events, activities, and initiatives throughout the year to help protect birds and their habitats, including its biannual Lights Out Dripping Springs campaign and more. Its Festival of Flight event to celebrate World Migratory Bird Day will take place this year on May 14.

For questions or more information, contact the city’s communications department at [email protected] or call (512) 858-4725.