Ecological Designations for Municipalities

Help support pollinators by designating your municipality as a Bee City. To be designated as a Bee City, you must submit an application agreeing to several core commitments including creating pollinator habitat, as well as facilitating public engagement and education. Join the Halifax and the Town of New Glasgow and become a certified Bee City in Nova Scotia!

Combat light pollution by designating your municipality as a Dark Sky Community. Dark Sky Places help alleviate the disruptions to wildlife, human health, and the climate caused by light pollution. Submit an application highlighting your municipality’s commitment to preserving the night sky and join other Canadian municipalities, like Bon Accord, Alberta, in becoming a Dark Sky Community.

Help tackle the alarming trend of decreasing bird populations in North America by designating your municipality as a Bird Friendly City. Municipalities with under 30, 000 residents are able to apply for the designation under the modified “Bird Friendly status for small municipalities” program. Receive this designation by submitting your application and showcasing your municipality’s commitment to helping birds in Nova Scotia, including many species at risk.

Join the Sustainable Communities Program to work towards certification as an Audubon International Certified Sustainable Community designation! This program will assist your municipality in long-term sustainability planning, specifically tailored to your community. The ongoing relationship built between your municipality and Audubon International benefits the environment, residents, and the local economy.

The designation of Certified Wildlife Heritage Areas within or between municipalities can create meaningful connections between community and the environment. The goal of Wildlife Heritage Areas is to increase nature-based tourism that focuses on encouraging conservation and community engagement. Kespukwitk was designated as a priority place in Canada due to its high concentrations of species at risk and diverse habitat, making it a promising candidate for such a designation. Learn more about how Certified Wildlife Heritage Areas can benefit your community using the links below.