Will County Chapter, Itlinois Audubon Society P.O. Box 3289 Joliet, IL 60434 March 16, 2016 Will County Executive Walsh and County Board Members 302 N. Chicago St. Joliet, IL 60432 Dear County Executive Walsh and County Board Members: Members of the Will County Chapter of the Illinois Audubon Society would like to convey information and create awareness about issues related to the effect of glass facade buildings on bird populations. From illustrations appearing in local media, it appears that the new county courthouse will have large expanses of glass on its surface. It has been estimated that from 100 million to one billion birds a year die after colliding with buildings and other man-made structures. Bird collisions with glass account for a large percentage of fatalities. Birds are unable to detect glass as a barrier and avoid it. They perceive that they are flying into the sky as seen ina reflection. The problem is exacerbated when landscaping near reflective surfaces makes it appear that they are flying into an area of trees and greenery. Nighttime lighting of the exterior and interior of a building also is a factor in bird strikes, since migrating birds are guided by light to reach their destinations. The plight of birds is so severe that in May of 2015 a Bill was introduced at the federal level which would create the Federal Bird-Safe Building Act requiring that these factors be addressed when designing federal structures. Solutions can be adopted to lessen bird fatalities. Interrupting the reflective surface on the bottom 40 ft. of a building will deter 70% or more of collisions. The current Forest Preserve Administrative Center at Sugar Creek has ceramic dots on the inside of the building to contro! overheating of the structure. Etching orfritting only 5% of glass surfaces deters 90% of bird strikes. Landscaping can be designed to keep birds away from the facade of buildings. Lighting can be controlled and a “Lights Out Program,” which Chicago and other cities have adopted prevents bird strikes during migration while also saving taxpayer dollars in energy costs. We hope you will learn more about protecting birds by checking out, “Bird-Safe Building Guidelines” a website maintained by the American Birding Association and the US Fish and Wildlife publication, “Reducing Bird Collisions with Buildings and Building Glass-Best Practices” published in January of 2016, which can also be found on-line, We would be remiss in not calling this important issue to your attention and would appreciate a response to this concern. To respond or if you have questions or comments, please contact Will County Chapter, illinois Audubon Society, P.O. Box 3289, Joliet, IL 60434, or use my e-mail address. Sincerely, Rites Remi, Rita Renwick President, Will County Chapter of the Illinois Audubon Society 815-725-2934 uofialumni@comeast.netBird Sefe Buiiding Guidelines - American Bird Conservancy EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Cal ited States, claiming hundreds of millions or more lives each year. Unlike some sources of mortality that predominantly kill weaker individuals, there is no distinction among victims of olass. Becouse glass is equally dangerous for strong, healthy, breeding adults, it can have a particulary serious impact on populations. Bird kils at buildings occur across the United States. We know more about mortality patterns in cities, because thats where ‘most monitoring takes place, but virtually any building with glass poses a threat wherever itis The dead birds documented by ‘monitoring programs or turned in to museums are only a fraction ofthe birds actually killed. The magnitude of this problem can be discouraging, but there are solutions if people can be convinced to adopt them. In recent decades, advances in glass technology and production have made it possible to construct buildings with all-glass. in walls, and we have seen a general increase in the amount of glass used in construction. Constructing bird-friendly the worst existing threats requires imaginative design and recognition that not only do birds have 3 inued existence is a value to humanity. New construction can incorporate reduce mortality from existing buil evolving, and because we will lweys wish for more informs the hope that 3 panacea is just round the comer, but we to act We have the tools and the strategies to makea difference now. Architect, designers city planners, and legislators are key to solving this problem, They not only have access to the latest building construction materials and concepts, they are also thought leaders and trend setters in the way we build our communities and prioritize bullding design issues. iendly design strategies from the beginning, However, there are many ways to 5, with more solutions being developed alte time, Because the science is constantly n than we have, the temptation isto postpone action in Abie rasbly agave ewe ama rseroughto ove ir grorty This publication, originally produced by the NYC Audubon Society, and reconceived by American Bird Conservancy (ABQ), aims to provide planners, aims to provide planners, architects, designers, bird advocates, local authorities, and the general public with a clear understanding of the nature and magnitude ofthe threat glass poses to birds. This edition includes a review of the science behind available solutions, examples of how those solutions can be applied to new construction and existing buildings, and an explanation of what information i still needed, We hope it will spur individuals, businesses, communities, and governments to address this issue and make their buildings safe for birds. ‘ABC's Collisions Program works atthe national | reduce bird mortality by coordinating with local organizations, developing educational programs and tools, conducting research, developing centralized resources, and generating awareness ofthe problem.