Camrose residents are invited to meet the city’s new official bird mascot at a public celebration on Thursday, August 13 at 7:00 PM at the Stoney Creek Centre, 5320 39 Avenue. The City of Camrose and the Bird Friendly City Camrose Committee will unveil the ‘City Bird of Camrose’ and teach attendees about the bird’s cultural significance and song.
The event is part of Camrose’s summer environmental education series, which offers weekly Thursday night programs on wildlife and greenspace issues. Residents can learn how the chosen bird connects to local traditions and hear its distinctive call, with photos and information available for all ages.
Camrose earned Bird Friendly City certification from Nature Canada in May 2025, becoming one of 32 certified municipalities across Canada. The designation recognizes the community’s work in bird conservation, education, and stewardship, supported by partners such as the Camrose Wildlife Stewardship Society, the University of Alberta Augustana Campus, and Ducks Unlimited.
The city has a long history of caring for purple martins, with nearly 100 houses hosting 73 pairs of the birds. The local stewardship group has run a volunteer landlord program since 2003, and the annual Purple Martin Festival celebrates this success each year.
Glen Hvenegaard, chair of the Camrose Bird Committee, says the city is proud of its bird friendly status. “We look forward to continuing and improving on our bird friendly work,” he said, “particularly working with the many individuals and organizations who support birds.”
The August 13 event is free and open to everyone. For more details, visit the City of Camrose events calendar.
