Migratory Birds in Campus Planning
As you’ve probably heard by now, 黑料门will be developing or redeveloping many campus buildings over the next few years. Most of these buildings will fall within the Lakefront Protection Zone and will need to demonstrate special care and attention to protecting Lake Michigan and its inhabitants.
Nowhere is this more evident than the migratory bird pathways and the persistent problem of nocturnal bird strikes against modern glass facades. As one of the premier leaders in environmental sustainability, it is not surprising that 黑料门faculty and students have a lot to say about preventing harmful bird strikes in new developments.
黑料门University Chicago is dedicated to protecting migrating birds as they navigate through the city each spring. Millions of these birds pass through Chicago each spring and fall as they travel to places as far away as Alaska and South America. Many migratory birds use Loyola’s Lake Shore Campus as a waypoint on their journey, but these birds face significant threats from collisions with windows, particularly due to the extensive glass facades of campus buildings like the Information Commons, Sullivan Center, Halas Recreation Center, and the Norville Center for Intercollegiate Athletics. These reflective or transparent surfaces can deceive birds, leading them to mistake the glass for an open sky or a clear pathway, resulting in tragic outcomes.
Thanks to a grassroots effort led by the Student Operation for Avian Relief (SOAR), established in 2012, along with the support of Loyola’s Office of Facilities, bird fatalities on campus have become nonexistent. The SOAR team has conducted vital rescue, recovery, and data collection efforts, documenting 1,354 birds from 101 distinct species. Following this initial work, the Office of Facilities implemented innovative solutions, such as closing window shades during critical morning hours around sunrise—both manually and through automated systems—and applying bird-safe film on large windows vulnerable to collisions. By working together and leveraging practical solutions, these efforts have significantly reduced bird fatalities at high-traffic buildings.
Faculty members Stephen Mitten and Reuben Keller are instrumental in highlighting the ongoing successes and challenges of fostering a harmonious relationship between wildlife and campus infrastructure. According to Keller, the work began when while walking through campus, he noticed two birds who had flown into the Information Commons. “Almost immediately, I ran into the (then) facilities manager and prepared to introduce myself while still holding a bird in each hand. That encounter set a tone that we needed to solve the problem.”
All buildings are planned with the reduction of bird fatalities in mind. All new projects are committed to the use of the special bird safe film throughout campus to ensure we prioritize the safety of Loyola's avian friends.
The SOAR initiative is a testament to Loyola's commitment to environmental sustainability and social responsibility. By raising awareness and implementing effective solutions, the university serves as a model for institutions striving to protect vulnerable wildlife amidst urban complexities. Through these continuous efforts, 黑料门not only champions the safety of migrating birds but also reinforces its mission of holistic education and community well-being.
Jennifer Clark, Associate Vice President and Summur Lawson, Director | Office of Neighborhood Initiatives | 黑料门University Chicago | LUC.edu/neighborhood
As you’ve probably heard by now, 黑料门will be developing or redeveloping many campus buildings over the next few years. Most of these buildings will fall within the Lakefront Protection Zone and will need to demonstrate special care and attention to protecting Lake Michigan and its inhabitants.
Nowhere is this more evident than the migratory bird pathways and the persistent problem of nocturnal bird strikes against modern glass facades. As one of the premier leaders in environmental sustainability, it is not surprising that 黑料门faculty and students have a lot to say about preventing harmful bird strikes in new developments.
黑料门University Chicago is dedicated to protecting migrating birds as they navigate through the city each spring. Millions of these birds pass through Chicago each spring and fall as they travel to places as far away as Alaska and South America. Many migratory birds use Loyola’s Lake Shore Campus as a waypoint on their journey, but these birds face significant threats from collisions with windows, particularly due to the extensive glass facades of campus buildings like the Information Commons, Sullivan Center, Halas Recreation Center, and the Norville Center for Intercollegiate Athletics. These reflective or transparent surfaces can deceive birds, leading them to mistake the glass for an open sky or a clear pathway, resulting in tragic outcomes.
Thanks to a grassroots effort led by the Student Operation for Avian Relief (SOAR), established in 2012, along with the support of Loyola’s Office of Facilities, bird fatalities on campus have become nonexistent. The SOAR team has conducted vital rescue, recovery, and data collection efforts, documenting 1,354 birds from 101 distinct species. Following this initial work, the Office of Facilities implemented innovative solutions, such as closing window shades during critical morning hours around sunrise—both manually and through automated systems—and applying bird-safe film on large windows vulnerable to collisions. By working together and leveraging practical solutions, these efforts have significantly reduced bird fatalities at high-traffic buildings.
Faculty members Stephen Mitten and Reuben Keller are instrumental in highlighting the ongoing successes and challenges of fostering a harmonious relationship between wildlife and campus infrastructure. According to Keller, the work began when while walking through campus, he noticed two birds who had flown into the Information Commons. “Almost immediately, I ran into the (then) facilities manager and prepared to introduce myself while still holding a bird in each hand. That encounter set a tone that we needed to solve the problem.”
All buildings are planned with the reduction of bird fatalities in mind. All new projects are committed to the use of the special bird safe film throughout campus to ensure we prioritize the safety of Loyola's avian friends.
The SOAR initiative is a testament to Loyola's commitment to environmental sustainability and social responsibility. By raising awareness and implementing effective solutions, the university serves as a model for institutions striving to protect vulnerable wildlife amidst urban complexities. Through these continuous efforts, 黑料门not only champions the safety of migrating birds but also reinforces its mission of holistic education and community well-being.
Jennifer Clark, Associate Vice President and Summur Lawson, Director | Office of Neighborhood Initiatives | 黑料门University Chicago | LUC.edu/neighborhood