Scio Township is part of Bird City

Scio Township was officially designated as a Bird City Michigan Community.

The township board was presented with a Bird City Certificate at their June 9 meeting, presented by the Michigan Audubon and Bird City Network.

In the report to the township board, Murphy Harrington, Scio Township’s Director of Parks and Pathways, said, “We are honored to be one of 10 municipalities in the state of Michigan recognized for taking actions to protect birds and their habitats while promoting meaningful sustainable practices.”

Harrington said earning the “Bird City Michigan designation brings meaningful environmental, economic, and social benefits to our community.”

Bird City Michigan is defined in part as “a science-based program that recognizes cities, villages, counties, and campuses that adopt bird-friendly practices, including managing green spaces, educating the public, and reducing threats to birds such as window collisions and light pollution. Communities are encouraged to collaborate with like-minded organizations to address bird conservation issues through the implementation of programs and projects.” 

The certificate states, “Scio Township, Michigan, demonstrates a commitment to enviromental sustainability, protection of birds and their habitats, and active public engagement in bird-friendly practices.”

The Scio team is cited as the Scio Board of Trustees, the Scio Parks Department, the Environmental and Sustainability Task Force and the Washtenaw Bird and Nature Alliance.

Harrington said, “By meeting these standards, we are contributing to stronger environmental conservation, supporting biodiversity and improving overall ecosystem health. At the same time, the designation encourages education and community engagement through public events, outreach, and citizen science initiatives which helps residents develop a deeper connection to local wildlife.”

This designation can also provide economic advantages by attracting birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts, boosting tourism and supporting local businesses, Harrington said.

“Beyond these economic benefits, becoming a Bird City fosters a sense of community pride and identity, demonstrating a commitment to sustainability and a high quality of life,” Harrington said. “Overall, the designation highlights the Township’s leadership in environmental stewardship while creating a healthier, more vibrant place to live.”

An example of something Scio has done can be seen during the development planning of Woodview Commons the township asked the planners to adjust their plans in order to address a nesting area. The township at that time were working to inventory the township’s nature preserves and discovered that there is a significant Great Blue Heron rookery of over 50 nests in the West Scio Preserve, adjacent to the Woodview Commons property.

The township conducted an environmental assessment of the heron rookery and determined that protecting the nesting area would call for a buffer zone and seasonal restrictions on construction in the southern portion of the development site with the plan pulling the development further north, away from the herons’ nests.