Frederick renews Bird City designation after planting 198 trees and expanding habitat efforts
The City of Frederick renewed its Bird City Maryland designation after completing 30 action points, adding habitat improvements and planting nearly 200 trees through the Cooler Neighborhoods program.
HERE'S WHAT WE KNOW
Frederick renewed its official Bird City Maryland designation. The city first earned Bird City status in 2024. Frederick completed 30 action points for this year’s renewal. The Cooler Neighborhoods program planted 198 trees in 2025. The city says 52% of those trees were planted in census tracts affected by underinvestment and pollution. A new native landscape was planted at Max Kehne Memorial Park in spring 2026. Frederick’s signature bird is the Black-crowned Night Heron, nicknamed Midnight Heronson. The city also participates in Bee City, Tree City and Sustainable Maryland programs.
The City of Frederick has renewed its designation as an official Bird City, continuing a recognition it first earned in 2024.
Bird City Maryland recognizes communities that take specific steps to improve bird habitat, reduce threats, educate residents and promote broader sustainability efforts. Frederick completed 30 action points as part of this year’s renewal.
A major part of the city’s renewal involved new habitat work supported by Mobilize Frederick, a local climate-focused nonprofit.
The organization helped the city add a new habitat action through its Cooler Neighborhoods program, which launched in 2025 with the goal of increasing tree-canopy coverage in neighborhoods around Title I schools.
During 2025, the program planted 198 trees.
According to the city, 52% of those trees were planted in census tracts identified as marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution.
Frederick originally earned its Bird City designation in 2024 at the program’s Highflyer level.
The city says its broader conservation work also includes recognition as a Bee City, a Tree City for 45 years, and a silver-level Sustainable Maryland community. Frederick says it was the first municipality in Maryland to earn Tree City recognition.
Habitat and pollinator improvements
Frederick completed Bird City actions in four categories:
Habitat Threats to Birds Education and Engagement Sustainability
One of the newest projects was a native, low-impact landscape planted at Max Kehne Memorial Park in spring 2026.
The planting includes five native plant species with bloom periods spread across the growing season to support insects and pollinators.
The city also says it uses Integrated Pest Management practices designed to reduce pesticide and herbicide use by relying on methods such as mechanical removal and biological control of invasive species.
Frederick’s official bird gets a personality
Frederick also used a more lighthearted public-engagement strategy as part of its Bird City work.
The city held a social-media campaign to select a signature bird, pairing candidate birds with Star Wars-inspired characters.
The winner was the Black-crowned Night Heron, nicknamed “Midnight Heronson.”
The bird now serves as a sustainability mascot, and a plush version travels with the city’s Sustainability Outreach Coordinator Lauren Paulet during community outreach efforts.
Composting also counts toward sustainability
The city’s sustainability efforts also include a USDA-funded residential composting pilot program with service provided by Compost Crew.
Bird City Maryland considers programs like composting, habitat restoration and environmental education part of the larger effort to improve ecological conditions for birds and other wildlife.
Bird City Maryland began in 2019 through the Maryland Bird Conservation Partnership.
To qualify, communities must complete at least three actions in the Habitat category and at least one action in each of the other three categories, while also adopting a resolution committing to Bird City participation.
The Maryland program joined the National Bird City Network in 2023, connecting it with similar community programs across the hemisphere.
WHAT IT MEANS
The Bird City designation is not simply an honorary label.
Frederick must document specific habitat, conservation, education and sustainability actions to maintain its status.
This year’s renewal shows that the city is tying bird conservation to broader efforts involving tree canopy, pollinator habitat, pesticide reduction, composting and neighborhood environmental improvements.
Original reporting referenced by Everything Frederick:
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