About the Coalition

In 2011, through the awarding of a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Challenge Grant to Audubon Southwest, Phoenix Arizona was designated as an Urban Bird Treaty City.  In 2022, in a show of continued support for urban bird conservation, the Urban Bird Treaty was signed by dignitaries from the City of Phoenix, Audubon Southwest, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.  The Treaty was also given the support of participating partner organizations like the Rio Reimagined, Maricopa Parks and Recreation, Corazon Latino, Arizona Game and Fish Department, Desert Rivers Audubon Society, and the Tonto National Forest.

To keep momentum with this revitalized effort, the Rio Reimagined Urban Bird Coalition is being established as a voluntary, non-binding group of partners that support urban bird conservation.  This Coalition is a part of the Rio Reimagined Urban Program.  This Coalition will focus on supporting, and coordinating, projects for habitat enhancement, bird hazard reduction, and community engagement in bird-related conservation, science, recreation, and educational activities.

Scope

The geographic scope of the Rio Reimagined Urban Bird Coalition is larger than the scope of the 2011 NFWF grant.  The Coalition’s scope is, rather, aligned with the EPA's Rio Reimagined Urban Waters Federal Partnership and the Lower Salt and Gila Rivers Important Bird Area.  This alignment allows for a greater scope in partners, communities, and opportunities for bird conservation.

Partners and Partner Facilities

The Rio Reimagined Urban Bird Coalition is grateful for our partners and their facilities.  To get involved, please contact nichole_engelmann@fws.gov.

Partners (A-Z)

  • Audubon Southwest
  • City of Phoenix Environmental Programs
  • Corazon Latino
  • Maricopa County Parks and Recreation
  • Rio Reimagined Initiative- ASU City Exchange

Facilities

The Nina Mason Pulliam Rio Salado Audubon Center, located at 3131 S. Central Ave Phoenix, AZ 85040, offers education and outreach resources for our local urban birds.

Documents

The Urban Bird Treaty that was signed in 2022 by the City of Phoenix Mayor, Regional Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife's Southwest Region, and Executive Director of Audubon Southwest. 

Programs

Students learning about tree identification
A program that supports city partners in conserving birds and their habitats and providing opportunities for community engagement in bird-related recreation, education, and conservation activities in urban and suburban areas.

Facilities