River Forest is taking important steps to strengthen its reputation as a bird-friendly community. The Village plans to apply for “Bird City” designation through the Audubon Council of Illinois recognizing municipalities committed to protecting bird populations.
To qualify, communities must demonstrate strong conservation practices, public education, and resident involvement. River Forest hopes to join fellow Illinois Bird Cities like Evanston, Galena, and Normal. Residents can help in simple but meaningful ways: reduce exterior lighting during migration seasons (March–June and mid-August–November), limit pesticide use, and plant native species.
World Migratory Bird Day
World Migratory Bird Day officially is held each year on the second Saturday in May. Since 1993 World Migratory Bird Day (formerly International Migratory Bird Day) has become a primary vehicle for focusing public attention on the nearly 350 species that travel between nesting habitats in our communities and throughout North America and their wintering grounds in South and Central America, Mexico, the Caribbean, and the southern U.S.
In celebration of World Migratory Bird Day, the Village has issued a proclamation recognizing Saturday May 9th as World Migratory Bird Day in River Forest and sponsored events to celebrate World Migratory Bird Day in partnership with the Forest Preserve District of Cook County and the River Forest Library, two birding events at the Trailside Museum of Natural History on May 9th and May 19th and a book discussion at the River Forest Library on May 28th.
Reducing Light Pollution
Each year, the greater Chicago region serves as a major migratory corridor for approximately eight million birds from more than 250 species that travel between seasonal habitats. The busiest migration period in the spring is from mid-March through mid-June when excessive artificial lighting can interfere with birds’ natural navigation and increase the likelihood of collisions with buildings or windows. As part of this effort, the Village Board as adopted a proclamation encourging Lights Out During Peak Bird Migration. The Village encouages residents and businesses to turn off unnecessary exterior lights and using shielded fixtures to reduce light pollution and improve nighttime visibility - while lowering energy use.
As part of these efforts, a student volunteer from Roosevelt Middle School has developed a flyer that highlights simple steps to protect birds during nighttime migrations.
Commitment to Bird Habitats and Sustainability
The Village and the Sustainability Commission are further working to make River Forest a community committed to protecting avian wildlife by promoting ways to improve bird habitats and reduce threats to birds. In addition to light pollution, window collisions are a frequent threat to migratory birds. Additionally, pesticides and toxins create hazards for birds as well as their habitats. Conversely, native plants and trees provide both food and shelter to birds, who evolved alongside plants and receive ideal nutrition that is not provided by non-native plant species.
Student volunteers at Roosevelt Middle School have once again created a flyer outlining ways residents can help the local bird population.
The NWF also has a helpful guide for creating a Bird-Friendly Habitat in your hard. This two-page document with 11 easy tips can be found here.
As the Village's Bird City efforts progress, the Sustainability Commission will be introducing a citizen science project centered around monitoring the presence of a focal species, the Common Nighthawk, a migratory bird that spends its summers in River Forest and surrounding communities. Citizen science allows everyday residents to contribute valuable observations and data that support scientific research and wildlife conservation efforts.
Residents interested in participating in the Nighthawk monitoring effort are encouraged to volunteer to listen for Nighthawk calls around sunset once per week beginning Monday, June 1. If you are interested in participating as a citizen scientist, please contact the River Forest Sustainability Commission