Calling all shutterbugs and bird enthusiasts! We want you to capture the vibrant avian life of Chicago through your lens and participate in the inaugural "Chicago Birds Photography Contest." Photographers of all experience levels are invited to compete with winning submissions eligible for eternal bragging rights and cash prizes!
The importance of Black Americans in conservation and environmentalism is GREATLY underrepresented and it requires some digging to learn about the significant past and current Black contributors and advocates of birding, conservation, and environmental justice.
This time of year, owls become the focus of many nature lovers. The presence of humans can be stressful for owls, so it’s important to understand more about owls and follow simple guidelines to ensure their safety.
The importance of Black Americans in conservation and environmentalism is GREATLY underrepresented and it requires some digging to learn about the significant past and current Black contributors and advocates of birding, conservation, and environmental justice.
Lights Out! Chicago asks buildings to turn off or dim bright antenna, rooftop and display lights from 11 pm to sunrise every spring and fall migration season. This act saves the lives of thousands of birds who would otherwise be attracted from their nightly travels towards the confusing city lights.
Important news for birds! The Bird Safe Buildings bill will require that state buildings use a reduced or protected amount of glass and bird-friendly design features along with reduced and shielded lighting practices for the prevention of bird collisions.
Once enacted, the bill will apply to future state building construction or major renovations of existing buildings.
Four planning processes going in in Chicago right now could have big implications for bird habitat. Anyone that uses these places is needed to submit public comment in support of bird habitat. Also, CAS is looking for people to adopt two of these processes, keep us informed, and gather and submit birder feedback.
Recent major studies have linked neonics to songbird declines in North America, and they may not be so healthy for humans either: scientific research has shown that they may increase the risk of permanent developmental or neurological damage in infants and young people.
Light reduction for all buildings along Chicago's lakefront is critical to reducing bird strikes. Residents and building owners should be aware that all evening light displays to show appreciation for those on the front lines of COVID-19 need to be turned off after 11 pm for the protection of birds that will migrate through Chicago every night over the next month.
In 2017, the U.S. Department of the Interior severely undermined one of our nation’s oldest and strongest bird conservation laws — the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. The MBTA has long provided the oil and gas industry, wind energy development companies and power transmission line operators with an incentive to work with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and conservation groups to minimize bird deaths. However, now, companies are no longer responsible for reducing bird deaths…
Montrose is a special place that deserves protection from the worst abuses. In July, 2019, twelve Chicago bird clubs, nature conservation and community organizations delivered a petition requesting that Chicago Park District work with stakeholders to create a policy defining the limits on large events at Montrose. Recently, the CPD declined our request - we are taking action, and need your help.
January 23, 2019 – Alderman Brian Hopkins (2nd Ward) introduced in Chicago City Council today the Bird Friendly Design Ordinance (O2019-320).
The ordinance establishes bird safe building material and design standards for new building construction in an effort to reduce bird mortality from circumstances that are considered to be “bird hazards.” In introducing the ordinance, Hopkins noted that “over the past several decades Chicago has taken action to make our beautiful city a less hazardous place for the millions of birds that pass through here, especially during the migration season. This ordinance makes the powerful statement that as we build an ever more vibrant and dynamic city, we will do so in a way that minimizes our city’s negative impact on native and migratory birds.” The ordinance builds on similar ordinances in other North American cities like San Francisco and Toronto, and it enjoys the support not only of conservation groups, but also architects and other design professionals. Jeanne Gang, Founding Principal of architecture practice Studio Gang, points out: “If we keep environmental impact in mind from the start of the design process, we can create buildings that are functional and aesthetically pleasing, and also bird friendly. This ordinance is a great step forward by a city with a history of groundbreaking architectural advancement.”
The Bird Friendly Design Ordinance championed by Alderman Hopkins is the dedicated mission of Bird Friendly Chicago, an alliance to promote a safer urban environment for birds. “Nationwide, as many as a billion birds are killed every year in collisions with buildings,” says Annette Prince, chair of Bird Friendly Chicago and director of Chicago Bird Collision Monitors. “The average Chicagoan is distressed to see the toll our buildings take on birdlife, but they are heartened to realize that we have it in our power to significantly reduce these tragic deaths. This ordinance is a win-win for the people of Chicago and for the birds that enrich our lives and that are crucial for a healthy environment.” - more - David Willard, Collection Manager Emeritus, Bird Division, at the Field Museum, added: “This ordinance is a sensible response to decades of hands-on research in bird collisions conducted by the Field Museum and others, and it fits hand-in-glove with the work that both the Chicago Park District and the Cook County Forest Preserves are doing to preserve and restore our natural areas.”
The ordinance, which does not apply to existing structures or to detached homes, townhouses, two-flats or residential buildings of six units or less, was assigned for further review to the Committee on Health and Environmental Protection, and could be brought to the entire City Council for vote as early as April of this year. About Bird Friendly Chicago. Bird Friendly Chicago is an alliance of four organizations: Chicago Audubon Society, Chicago Bird Collision Monitors, Chicago Ornithological Society, and Illinois Ornithological Society. Its mission is to promote a safer urban environment for birds through improved lighting, landscaping and glass features of buildings. To learn more, visit www.BirdFriendlyChicago.org.
If you would like more information about this topic, please call Dan Lory at 312-622- 6752, or email at birdfriendlychicago@gmail.com
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