On April 10, the Lynn Township Board of Supervisors voted on a resolution to join Bird Town Pennsylvania.

It is an organization under the auspice of the PA Audubon Council that works with municipalities to promote community-based conservation actions to create a healthier, more sustainable environment for birds, wildlife, and people.

Lynn Township joins four other areas in Lehigh County as members of Bird Town, including the townships of Lower Macungie, Salisbury, and Whitehall and the city of Allentown.

Bird populations in North America are on the decline.

According to the recently released, “State of Birds” report by Cornell University, it’s estimated that across our continent we have lost three billion birds, or 29% compared with the populations of 1970.

Forty-two species have lost more than 50% of their population in the past 50 years.

Grassland birds are suffering some of the worst losses with a 43% decline, shore bird populations have lost 33% while we’ve lost 27% of eastern forest birds.

The good news is that conservation efforts have been on-going for some time and in the areas where they are enacted, they have been shown to work.

Some of the most effective strategies include, private lands programs and conservation partnerships such as conservation ranching and forest renewal.

Lynn Township’s proximately to the Blue Mountain ridge belies it’s critical role in hosting migrating birds, some traveling thousands of miles past our township to the southern parts of South America and back again.

Being a certified Bird Town member makes available a slew of resources to help interested community members focus efforts that will make a difference to bird populations.

When I joined the Lynn Township Environmental Advisory Board, I knew of a good number of dedicated anglers, hunters, paddlers and birders in this area who all care about being stewards of our land.

A new Lynn Township Bird Town volunteer group will be forming and we will select from a list of clear objectives laid out by Bird Town Pennsylvania.

The hope is that these actions and activities will create a favorable environment for bird populations.

Some examples include, the use of native plants, installing nest boxes, disseminating information about ways to make your yard or tract of land more favorable to bird populations, including a selection of 10 Back Yard.

Habitat programs

As part of our newly minted status, Lynn Township will be getting two new signs identifying us as a Bird Town.

And if you are looking for more information about Bird Town, or want to get involved, go to, www.birdtownpa.org or contact the Lynn Township office.