Big Rapids is the most recent Michigan community to receive an official Bird City title from the Michigan Audubon.
While the program has existed outside of the state since 2009, it only just began in Michigan this past July. Now, Big Rapids is joining Iosco County, the Village of Roscommon, Ann Arbor and Sterling Heights to become the 5th member of the inaugural class.
However, this was a long time coming for the city.
According to Big Rapids City Manager Mark Gifford, the city has been participating in Bird City activities for years.
"It's surprising how many people out there are really excited," Gifford said. "There's people in every community who are interested and care about birds and nature and preservation and conservation. And this is just an easy way of engaging with those folks."
Big Rapids has a history of protecting and watching birds within the community, including placing bird boxes in public parks and a Ferris State osprey-watching live camera feed.
As a part of the Bird City program, Big Rapids will be hosting a number of events in 2026 to help celebrate and raise awareness for their local feathered friends.
One event will be a dedicated Bird Week as a part of the annual Big Rapids Festival of the Arts, where there will be a public art piece focused on birds. Additionally, they will be hosting a World Migratory Bird Day in May featuring guest speakers and all-day birding activities.
"We've been doing birding stuff before we were ever a Bird City," said Gifford. "We have bigger projects, smaller efforts, but they all matter."
