The Salisbury Township Environmental Advisory Council received a primer on “Bird Town” at its June meeting.

“This was our goal to reconnect with the Bird Town program,” Alexander Arruda, EAC chairperson, said after the June 17 presentation by Heidi Shiver, president of Bird Town Pennsylvania, LLC.

“Bird Town Pennsylvania works in partnership with local municipalities and like-minded organizations to promote community-based conservation actions to create a healthier, more sustainable environment for birds, wildlife and people,” Shiver said.

“Bird Town,” working with municipalities in the commonwealth for more than 16 years in 17 counties, is “the premier program” under the Pennsylvania Audubon Council and partners with conservation groups, including WeConservePA, Audubon Chapters and the Pennsylvania Game Commission.

There are 108 designated “Bird Towns,” including Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton and Salisbury Township. The “Bird City Network” includes more than 310 communities in 13 states and three countries.

The reason for focusing on birds is because, Shiver said:

— Birds keep ecosystems running smoothly

— Birds eat 400-500 million tons of insects per year

— Crows and vultures scavenge carcasses, reducing diseases such as rabies, distemper and plague

— Birds disperse seeds and provide pollination services

— Hawks and owls help keep mice and rat populations in check.

Threats to birds include:

— Loss and fragmentation of habitat

— Cats (feral and outdoor)

— Window collisions

— Pesticides

— Climate change

— Invasive species

— Plastics.

“Bird Town” recommended measures include:

— Install demonstration native plant, pollinator and rain gardens

— Develop proclamations, resolutions and ordinances to address invasives, native plants, pesticides, clean water to support healthier ecosystems

— Educate about invasive plants

— Reduce bird window strikes

— Plant trees and shrubs to create green corridors and reduce runoff and build up riparian buffer zones

— Work with schools to engage and educate

— Educate about stormwater management with rain barrel workshops.

The “Bird Town” website has information about grants, workshops, virtual meetings and strategies: https://birdtownpa.org/

The EAC welcomed its new member, Mel Gallo. “I just moved to Salisbury Township. I’m excited to be part of the EAC,” Gallo said, adding, ”I have a master’s degree in ecology.”

A cleanup of Walking Purchase Park will take place July 12 with the time to be announced.

Discussion of the township Comprehensive Plan is set for the 7 p.m. June 25 board of commissioners’ meeting, with a public hearing and possible adoption in August.

“When we align SALDO [Subdivision And Land Development Ordinance] and zoning, there will be additional opportunities for input,” Salisbury Township Commissioner Heather Lipkin, EAC liaison said.

“The next step is the zoning ordinance and SALDO needing to be updated. The comprehensive plan is our guide. It does emphasize growing our park system,” Salisbury Township Director of Community Development Kerry Rabold said.

The township “No Mow May” policy was discussed. “We had a lot of complaints and comments from neighbors,” Rabold said, adding, “Next year, we’re going to have to tweak it.”

Changing a township ordinance to allow eight-foot deer fencing was discussed.

A “dark sky” ordinance to “discourage outdoor lighting” was discussed.

The next EAC meeting is 7 p.m. Aug. 19 in the meeting room of the municipal building, 2900 S. Pike Avenue.