CITY OF SUN PRAIRIE TO BE DESIGNATED AS A BIRD CITY WISCONSIN COMMUNITY

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – October 13, 2026
Ashley Manthei
Communications Manager
amanthei@cityofsunprairie.com
(608) 608-0322
 
SUN PRAIRIE, Wis. – The City of Sun Prairie is proud to announce its designation as a Bird City Wisconsin community. This designation follows the City’s numerous conservation, restoration, and outreach efforts to promote biodiversity and habitat for birds and pollinators within the urban landscape.

These efforts include the City’s annual Arbor Day seedling giveaway, and the Slow Mow-Let it Grow native plant giveaway, which encourage residents to take action and establish habitat on their property, as well as invasive plant management initiatives that invite members of the public to join in removing invasive plants from public lands. Actions like these provide educational resources and opportunities for the community to learn about sustainable land management practices like limiting chemical inputs on lawns, gardening with native plants, harvesting rainwater, and more.

In addition to conservation, this designation also recognizes the City’s sustainability progress including the use of renewable energy for municipal operations and the waste diversion programs the City offers to the public. Combined, these efforts help maintain a healthy natural environment for birds and in turn make Sun Prairie a healthier place for residents to live, work, and play alongside nature.

With many of Sun Prairie’s existing efforts prioritizing environmentalism, conservation, and sustainability, pursuing the Bird City designation aligned well with ongoing initiatives. “Being designated as a Bird City formally recognizes Sun Prairie’s commitment to creating and protecting habitat for birds,” said Cindy Burtley, Parks & Forestry Director. “We are proud to be recognized as a Bird City and look forward to continuing to expand bird conservation efforts in Sun Prairie.”

As the City of Sun Prairie recently acquired Patrick Marsh, the city’s largest conservation park and a known habitat for unique birds like American White Pelicans, Bald Eagles, and Orchard Orioles and a stop-over site for migrating species like Bufflehead, Palm Warblers, and Blackpoll Warblers, the timing of this designation is especially meaningful.

To celebrate Sun Prairie’s Bird City designation and World Migratory Bird Day, the City is hosting Migration at the Marsh on Sunday, October 18, from 9-11am at Patrick Marsh Wildlife Area. This event invites the community to explore and discover the incredible journeys migratory birds make each year. Learn how the protection of special places like Patrick Marsh provides important habitat for birds, pollinators, and other wildlife, and enjoy some hands-on fun along the way.

This free, family-friendly event will feature guided bird & native plant ecology walks at 9:30 & 10:30am, bird and nature themed crafts and activities for all ages, and a Bird City designation ceremony at 9am, celebrating Sun Prairie’s commitment to creating a community where birds and people can thrive.

Whether you’re an experienced birder or curious about the wildlife in your backyard, we welcome you to join us in celebrating.

For more information about Sun Prairie’s conservation efforts, please visit the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Forestry’s webpage: https://cityofsunprairie.com/1085/Parks-Recreation-Forestry.
 
About City of Sun Prairie
Sun Prairie is a vibrant and thriving community located in northeastern Dane county, just east of the City of Madison. The City of Sun Prairie has experienced strong population growth since its incorporation from a village to a city in 1958, undergoing a transformation from a relatively small community of less than 4,000 to an estimated 36,394 today.