Overview
Each year, about 10,000 birds die at UBC by colliding with clear and reflective glass. Windows reflect mirror images of trees and other vegetation and create a particular hazard for birds.
Birds are important because they provide ecosystem services in the form of pest control, pollination and seed dispersal. In addition, the high visibility and audibility of birds creates a valuable experiential link between people and local wildlife in urban settings.
UBC has developed Bird Friendly Design Guidelines for Buildings as part of the emerging Green Building Action Plan. UBC is working with partners on and off campus through the SEEDS Sustainability Program to research bird collisions on campus. The results of these studies can be found by searching for “bird” on the SEEDS Sustainability Library
Designing a structure to be bird friendly does not need to add to construction costs, nor does it need to restrict the imagination. Innovative thinking is encouraged when it comes to the application of the guidelines.
Download UBC Bird Friendly Design Guidelines for Buildings
Bird Friendly Window Art
UBC PhD student Lora Zosia Moon designed a window application as part of a competition through the SEEDS Sustainability Program. The aim of the project was to prevent collisions and bring attention to bird biodiversity on campus. The bird friendly artwork is installed on the windows outside the Loop Café in the CIRS Building (2260 West Mall). Read a story about the project.
Bird Friendly Resources
- FLAP Canada
- Fatal Light Awareness Program (FLAP) has information on bird and building collision reduction strategies.
- Birdsafe
- Take a Birdsafe self-assessment for your home or commercial building.