III.1. Proclamation Declaring October 11 as Hopkins Migratory Bird Day; Needham
CITY OF HOPKINS
City Council Report 2025-142
To: Honorable Mayor and Council Members
Mike Mornson, City Manager
From: Revée Needham, Community Development Manager
Date: October 7, 2025
Subject: Proclamation Celebrating Migratory Bird Day
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RECOMMENDED ACTION
MOTION TO Adopt a Proclamation Declaring October 11th as Hopkins Migratory Bird
Day.
OVERVIEW
World Migratory Bird Day is a global campaign that serves as a beacon for conservation
efforts aimed at protecting migratory birds and their journeys across borders.
Celebrated twice a year—in May and October—World Migratory Bird Day reflects the
cyclical nature of bird migration and the varying peak periods in the northern and
southern hemispheres. This worldwide initiative triggers countless educational events,
uniting people in a common goal to protect migratory birds and their habitats.
Last year, Hopkins resident Francoise Shirley approached City staff with the idea of
bringing the Audubon Bird Mural Project to Hopkins. The Audubon Bird Mural project is
a national public art initiative that aims to bring awareness to the alarming decline in
bird populations due to climate change via beautiful, engaging public works of art
featuring birds in desperate need of conservation. Staff worked with Francoise and the
Public Art Committee to commission local artists to complete three mini-murals
featuring birds from the Audubon Society’s Vulnerable Birds list for Hennepin County.
These murals are the first in Minnesota to be part of the official Audubon Mural Project.
The mural locations, artists, and featured birds are:
Artist: Kada Goalen
Location: Dragonland Tattoo
Birds: Golden-winged Warbler, Scarlet Tanger, Indigo Bunting
Planning & Economic
Development
Artist: Audrey Carver
Location: Hoagie’s Family Restaurant
Birds: Clay-colored Sparrow, Field Sparrow
Artist: Adam Turman
Location: LTD Brewing
Birds: Red-headed Woodpecker, Yellow-bellied
Sapsucker
Members of the Public Art Committee and the Land of Lakes Bird Alliance, along with
Francoise Shirley, will be tabling at the Hopkins Farmer’s Market on October 11th, 2025
to share more about the mural project and bird conservation. Residents and visitors are
encouraged to visit the murals in downtown Hopkins and learn more about bird
conservation.
Hopkins resident Francoise Shirley and President of the Land of Lakes Bird Alliance
Marian Weidner will be in attendance to accept the proclamation. A big thank you to
Francoise for all of her hard work in implementing this project.
SUPPORTING INFORMATION
• Proclamation
• Hyperlink to Audubon Mural Project
• Hyperlink to Land of Lakes Bird Alliance
• Hyperlink to World Migratory Bird Day
A Proclamation Declaring October 11th as Hopkins
Migratory Bird Day
WHEREAS, Minnesota’s agricultural lands and over 10,000 lakes provide ideal habitat
and food opportunities for migratory birds and is a crucial stop along the Mississippi River
Flyway during the spring and fall migration seasons; and
WHEREAS, over 50% of Minnesota’s total land area is made up of farmland where
migratory birds traditionally get food for their journey but are facing dangers of
pesticides and lack of insects; and
WHEREAS, every fall millions of birds migrate through Minnesota, both marking the
changing of the seasons for Minnesotans and inspiring 1.4 million birders to participate in
birdwatching activities in Minnesota’s diverse natural landscapes; and
WHEREAS, the City of Hopkins has partnered with the Land of Lakes Bird Alliance, the
Planning and Economic Development Department and Hopkins Center for the Arts to
complete a bird mural project throughout the city promoting their mission and the
conservation for migratory birds in Minnesota that are highly vulnerable; and
WHEREAS, along with the bird mural project, the City wishes to continue protecting birds
that migrate through and stop in Minnesota along their seasonal journey; and
WHEREAS, October 11th is Fall Migratory Bird Day, a day where many cities across the
US recognize the importance of migratory birds to their communities; and
WHEREAS, establishing Hopkins Migratory Bird day cements the importance of
migratory birds in the city, encouraging residents to bring attention to the impact of local
activities on migratory birds and inspire changes in daily behaviors and interactions with
local wildlife.
NOW THEREFORE, I, Patrick Hanlon, Mayor of the City of Hopkins in the State of
Minnesota, along with my fellow Council Members, recognize, adopt, and proclaim this
October 11th as Hopkins Migratory Bird Day and encourage local residents to appreciate
the presence of birds in the community.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set
my hand and caused the Seal of the City of
Hopkins, Minnesota to be affixed this 7th day of
October in the year 2025.
__________________________________________
Patrick Hanlon, Mayor