The City of Wimberley has been recognized as a Bird City Texas community for 2025, an unusual honor awarded by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department in partnership with Audubon Texas. The prestigious certification celebrates Wimberley’s commitment to protecting and enhancing bird habitats, engaging in conservation education and promoting a sustainable environment for both wildlife and residents.
“Being named a Bird City Texas community is an extraordinary achievement for Wimberley. It reflects the dedication of our residents, businesses and city to prioritize sustainability and coexistence with nature,” said Richard Shaver, Director of Wimberley Parks and Recreation. “We are humbled and proud to join this elite group of cities committed to protecting our avian friends and their habitats.”
Bird City Texas is a certification program designed to recognize cities that excel in protecting birds and their habitats where people live, work, and recreate. To achieve this recognition, communities must implement science- based initiatives and community-centric actions. Since its inception in 2020, only 10 cities have earned this designation, making Wimberley’s achievement even more significant.
Wimberley’s certification reflects the city’s initiatives of establishing policies that reduce light pollution which helps ensure a safe migration for birds, hosting educational events to engage residents in conservation efforts, and implementing native landscaping projects to create bird-friendly spaces.
Wimberley’s location in the heart of the Texas Hill Country makes it a vital stopover for migratory birds, as well as home to numerous year-round avian species. The Bird City Texas designation underscores the city’s ecological significance while providing tangible benefits to the community.
Research shows that bird-friendly habitats increase property values, reduce environmental management costs, and attract tourism, particularly from birdwatchers, contributing to Texas’ $1.8 billion wildlife viewing economy.
Residents and visitors are invited to join the upcoming Bird Seminar hosted by Wimberley Parks and Recreation to learn more about the diverse bird species in the community. Visit wimberleyparksandrec. com/ programs/bird-seminar/ for more details.
“This certification belongs to the people of Wimberley,” said Shaver. “Our collective efforts have made this possible, and we are excited to continue leading the way in environmental stewardship.”
