Bird City Wisconsin, a program of the Milwaukee Audubon Society; was created in 2009 and began recognizing communities for the following year. The program recognizes municipalities for the conservation and education activities that they undertake to make their communities healthy for birds…and people. Bird City Wisconsin is the first Bird City program and served as the model for the Western Hemisphere-wide Bird City Network, of which Bird City Wisconsin is a founding member.
In 2011 the Village of Trempealeau was awarded the status of a Wisconsin “Bird City” by the Milwaukee Audubon Society and in 2024, the Village was elevated to High Flyer status for the first time!
To be recognized as a Bird City, a community must take actions across four categories (Habitat, Threat Reduction, Education & Engagement, and Sustainability) and officially recognize and celebrate World Migratory Bird Day. Bird City also offers High Flyer recognition for those communities that truly go above and beyond in their conservation and education programs. To become a High Flyer, a community must meet additional, and more involved, criteria.
Annually, the Village of Trempealeau renews our Bird City status with passage of a Resolution that designates celebration of International Migratory Bird Day as the second Saturday in May. The fees are graciously paid by Trempealeau Chamber of Commerce to support this.
Village of Trempealeau Bird City Member Page
Join the Village of Trempealeau in Celebrating World Migratory Bird Day!
Mark Your Calendar!
The date for the 2026 World Migratory Bird Day Festival on Saturday, May 9, from 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM at Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge.
The upcoming celebration will focus on Creating Bird-Friendly Cities and Communities and will feature guided bird hikes, bird banding demonstrations, engaging guest speakers, fun activities for kids, and booths from local conservation organizations. Whether you join us for an hour or the entire event, it’s an experience the whole family will enjoy!
Stay connected and follow updates on the Refuge and Friends of the Refuge Facebook pages: Friends of Trempealeau Refuge Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge Facebook
We look forward to seeing you there!
2025 World Migratory Bird Day Festival — Event Highlights
The Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge celebrated another outstanding World Migratory Bird Day Festival in 2025, drawing in nearly 300 enthusiastic visitors for a weekend full of nature, learning, and community.
The festivities began with a warm and lively Friday night social at Elmaro Winery, featuring keynote speaker Scott Lee—a beloved Trempealeau Elementary teacher of 33 years, former UW–La Crosse Environmental Studies instructor, and long‑time refuge volunteer. Scott captivated the audience with an insightful program on Bird Adaptations, setting the tone for an inspiring weekend.
The main festival on May 10th embraced the theme “Shared Spaces: Creating Bird-Friendly Cities and Communities.” Activities welcomed both seasoned birders and first‑time explorers, offering:
- Six guided bird hikes designed for all skill levels
- A guided photography hike
- Live bird banding demonstrations, showcasing the critical role the refuge plays as a stopover for migratory songbirds
- Hands-on kids’ activities, including a macroinvertebrate station led by our environmental education partners at Happy Dancing Turtle
- River Valley Raptors presenting live raptor shows and expert interpretation
- Inspiring talks at the Outdoor Wonders Learning Centers from Scott Lind (Kickapoo Valley Dark Sky Initiative) and Andrew Forbes (U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service – Migratory Birds Program)
The day was free and open to the public, bringing together families, bird lovers, photographers, and community members to celebrate the vibrant birdlife that connects us all.
Follow the links below to learn more about bird safety from the American Bird Conservancy:
American Bird Conservancy – Cat’s Indoors
American Bird Conservancy – Bird Collisions Threats/Prevention
American Bird Conservancy – Cats and Other Invasives
Additional information educating you on how to protect birds from window strikes can be found at the following links:
Reducing Bird Collisions with Glass
National Audubon Society Bird Safe Home Brochure
Follow the links to create a bird friendly back yard:
How to create a bird friendly yard
Creating a Bird-Friendly Yard with Native Wisconsin Plants
Bird City Wisconsin works hard to implement its mission:
To encourage all communities in Wisconsin to implement sound bird-conservation practices by offering public recognition to those that succeed in (a) enhancing the environment for birds and (b) educating the public about the interactions between birds and people and about the contributions birds make to a healthy community.
