Feathered Futures: Bird Friendly Peterborough
Britt Zeus
Peterborough
Britt set out to make bird conservation truly accessible by bringing hands-on education into the heart of the community. Through backyard bird workshops to new partnerships that transformed invasive gardens into habitats, the project helped people connect with nature and understand the choices that protect local species. This year showed just how passionate Peterborough residents are about caring for their environment and supporting a thriving urban forest.
A Year of Feathered Futures
Britt’s project is an education program designed to make information about being Bird Friendly accessible to everyone. Peterborough became a Bird Friendly City in 2022, making it the 11th Canadian city to undergo this designation process. Her city has everything. Beaches, trails, parks, and nature reserves. She feels lucky to live in a city that offers so much of the province’s beauty, and people want to be involved in its urban forest. Making education accessible to as many ages and populations as possible is Bird Friendly Peterborough’s goal.
Bird Friendly Peterborough hopes that by educating the public about birds, it can encourage them to spend more time outdoors and reduce risks to birds. Everyone can benefit from bird friendly choices, if people know there are options they can make more informed decisions.
Peterborough is diverse, powerful, and passionate.
Bird Friendly Peterborough has met community members of all ages who are taking action to protect birds in their area. It has been fun to connect with people and learn from them while supporting something we are all passionate about.
The team initially wanted to offer its programs in residential homes; however, this proved challenging and limited reach to members only. By moving workshops into community spaces like the zoo and library, they were able to accommodate all community members in places that were physically accessible, community oriented, and free.
During this project, BFP connected with the Riverview Park and Zoo, Canada’s only free accredited zoo, holding a backyard birds workshop. This was such a success that more workshops are planned, along with a commitment to restore a garden filled with invasive species and transform it into a bird-friendly garden. This will be a tremendous and lasting way to educate and interact with the community about bird-friendly horticulture.
This project will only continue to grow within Peterborough and the surrounding area. BFP plans to expand its educational programming to create lasting change for birds and the community’s well-being.
Britt applied to the program after hearing how helpful it had been for a friend. She knew this project would bring together community members of all kinds, and she was excited to gain experience writing a grant, working with a funder, and taking on a larger role in her organization.
This program really made me fight my inner critic and realize I was chosen for a reason.
Her year as a changemaker helped her gain so much confidence. It helped her speak up more in meetings, have her ideas shared, and feel more of a presence. She also learned to reach out for help when she needs it. We really are all just learning, and this gave her a safe place to do so.
As a community leader of this project, she got to share her love of birds and how important it is for all of us to make bird-friendly decisions. This experience helped advance so many skills related to grants, project management, and time management. 8 80 Cities was a huge help in keeping the team connected and on task, providing support whenever needed.
Looking ahead, Britt hopes to continue volunteering with organizations that align with her values. She is still pursuing full-time education with the hopes of doing meaningful conservation work in her future. Getting to do this program has given her many tools to set her up for future success.
Her biggest dream for her future community is belonging. People of all backgrounds and needs can thrive. There are fruit trees, community gardens, and bird-friendly stickers on every building.
About Britt Zeus
Britt is a Fish and Wildlife Technologist who recently graduated from Fleming College in Peterborough/Nogojiwanong. Britt was lucky enough to be raised in this beautiful area of Ontario and is always looking for ways to share her love of nature. She volunteers for multiple wildlife non-profits and has found passion in creating accessible opportunities for everyone to explore the great outdoors. If not at school or work, you can find Britt playing Wingspan, entertaining their cats, or crafting to their heart’s content.
Instagram: @birdfriendlyptbokl
Facebook: @Bird Friendly PTBO and Kawartha Lakes
#birdwatching #publicspace