HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic TestimonyLANE COUNTY AUDUBON SOCIETY
AN OREGON CHAPTER OF THE NATIONALAUDUBON SOCIETY
P.O. BOX 5086 • EUGENE, OREGON 97405
www.laneaudubon.org
Dear City Councilors, Mayor, and City Manager,
I am writing on behalf of the Lane County Audubon Society to urge planners to protect birds that rely on
riparian habitat and the flyway provided by the Willamette River. Our members care deeply about habitat for
birds and other wildlife and value the riverfront area for bird watching, as well as for the natural beauty and
habitat provided. We encourage conservation of as much habitat along the river as possible. We thank you
for your consideration of standards that protect habitat and require native plants which support pollinators,
birds, and other native species. We urge you to consider the impact of development along the Greenway that
causes an increase in bird mortality. Bird -safe building measures have been employed successfully in many
cities across the country. Recent analyses have documented that the cost of installing bird -safe glass is
miniscule when compared to total building costs. In fact, the public relations associated with the use of bird -
friendly glass has been positive for building projects. We are proud that the UO has been responsive to this
issue and has utilized bird -safe stippled glass in their most recent building projects (the Knight Center for
example) as well as retrofitted problematic buildings. We think that the Willamette River Greenway would
benefit from this standard as development proceeds.
Building collisions are a leading source of mortality for birds with researchers estimating up to one billion
birds killed per year. Although any building provides a potential hazard, they are most concerning when they
occur adjacent to migratory corridors such as rivers. Collision mortality is further exacerbated by windows
and other glass surfaces found on buildings. Birds do not see glass. Both resident and migratory birds see
reflections of vegetation and open spaces in the windows and attempt to fly through until they are stopped by
an abrupt and unfortunate collision with a hard surface. There are several bird -friendly solutions to clear
glass (see links below.) Permits for buildings adjacent to the Greenway should require incorporation of bird -
friendly design. Please integrate this standard of bird -safe -glass for development in the riverfront area.
I have taken the liberty of including a few links to information on bird -friendly design.
https:Haudubopportland.org/issues/hazards/buildingsibird-friendly-building design -toolkit
https:Habcbirds.org_/get-involved/bird-smart-glass/ lg ass/
http://www.otop.org.pl/uploads/media/bird-friendly_ building engl.ndf
https:Homithologycenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Report-march-22.pdf (cost analysis)
Thank you for the opportunity to comment and for your consideration of these issues.
Debbie Schlenoff, Ph.D.
Conservation Chair, Lane County Audubon Society