BIRDLINKny

 What’s good for birds is good for people. 

1. Your donation will activate a public space with a living sculpture for people and birds

BEGINNING SPRING, 2018: BIRDLINK in New York City
BIRDLINK is preparing to welcome birds to the city during the bi-annual bird migrations along the Atlantic Flyway. Support for local and migratory birds helps green urban neighborhoods and activate public spaces. The New York City Department of Parks has approved the installation of BIRDLINK at Sara D. Roosevelt Park at East Houston Street for 2018-2019. This is the first in a planned network of living sculptures intended to link fragmented urban habitats.

WHAT IS BIRDLINK?
BIRDLINK is a freestanding native plant garden sculpture designed to support urban birds and engage people. This spiraling green-wall grid is a living tapestry of native plants with windows framing a park on one side and a bustling urban intersection on the other. During the four season cycle, plants will take root within a coil of gabion wire baskets of rock and soil that become food and shelter for passing birds. 

2. Your donation will engage community and passers-by in focused observation and citizen science actions that grow environmental awareness

Citizen Science BIRDLINK engages the public with mobile bird and plant ID apps that collect data for conservation research by Cornell Lab of Ornithology and Audubon.  Education and engagement in conservation practices alert people to the importance of habitat conservation before changes and population loss become set in stone.

3. Your donation will be doubled:

The first $1,000 donated to our crowdfunding page will be doubled, automatically, through the Partnerships for Parks Matching Grant Challenge. Thank you for being one of our first donors and helping us to win these extra funds and bring BIRDLINK to New York City!

See our full schedule of work here.

Feb - April 2018:  construction, plant cultivation, outreach to local schools and community groups.

April - May 2018: Installation and planting of spring perennials

End of May: Opening Day! Join us (more info coming soon).

Summer - Autumn- Winter: Seasonal events, ongoing planting and maintenance, citizen science workshops

Birds we know

 It is amazing to learn that robins - the common iconic birds of childhood - currently suffer a 30% population loss and that this is part of a large trend among bird populations. One-third of wintering North American bird populations have declined since 1966. That's in addition to the report by the North American Bird Conservation Initiative (NABCI) that more than one-third of North American bird species are at risk of extinction unless significant conservation actions are taken.

Urban Dwellers

It is important that cities located on continental bird flyways restore fragmented habitat for migrating birds on their journey, as well as for local bird populations in serious decline. Artificial structures can play an important role in the conservation of these species. They can also help to educate and engage people in conservation practices that increase green space and birdsong.  

Public Space/ Public Awareness

Public spaces need activation for people to engage there and create community. Environmental concerns are global, but local interventions that connect spaces and species can inspire minds. 

For even more information about why we need BIRDLINKny in our city, click here to browse our booklet.