We want SUNY School of Environmental Science & Forestry to transform our campus into a role model for ecological responsibility to prevent bird building collisions. ESF could even become first bird-friendly campus in the nation.

SUNY-ESF has a chance to lead the way in protecting birds from fatal window collisions by making all ten buildings on the Syracuse campus bird-friendly. Bird collisions are occurring regularly on ESF's Syracuse campus. Help us convince the ESF Board of Trustees and ESF leadership that permanent bird-friendly building design isn't just about protecting biodiversity, it's about living our conservation mission every day.

This spring, a 'Make ESF Bird-Friendly' pilot project was launched, bringing attention to an issue that has demanded our attention. Local artist Katie Mulligan designed and created beautiful mitigation murals on three sets of glass windscreens in front of Baker Hall and the Gateway Center. ESF sophomore Emily McGrath, the Bird Collision Officer for ESF's Guy A Baldassarre Birding Club, has joined ESF PhD student Meredith Barges to lead advocacy efforts. 

Additionally, ESF's Guy A Baldassarre Birding Club, ESF Mighty Oak Student Assembly, the ESF Illustrators Club, and other student groups have helped organized, discuss ESF policies with administrators, and mitigate glass on campus, to help make our campus safer for birds.

With ESF's commitments to biodiversity and conservation, it is disheartening to witness the ongoing bird collision problem at SUNY-ESF. Birds are crucial to our ecosystems, but they are are being inadvertently harmed by the very buildings that educate future environmental leaders. According to Klem et al (2024), nearly 2 billion birds die from building collisions in the United States every year. This staggering figure reflects an urgent need for action, and our campus should lead by example.

The pilot project has raised awareness, but now is the time to take permanent and effective steps to change the narrative. We are urging the administration of SUNY-ESF to implement permanent mitigation treatments to prevent bird-building collisions. Solutions such as installing specially designed bird-safe window films, decals, and screens can significantly reduce these tragic incidents.

In addition to preserving precious bird lives, adopting these measures would demonstrate a commitment to ecological conservation, aligning with the core values of our institution. It also would serve as an educational tool, amplifying our role not only as a center for learning but also as a beacon of environmental stewardship.

Making our campus a safer place for birds would inspire other institutions in and beyond Syracuse, cementing SUNY-ESF’s legacy as a leader in sustainable practices. Time is of the essence; with each delay, more birds are at risk.

Sign today to make SUNY-ESF bird-friendly and set an example for others to follow. Together, we can make a difference for birds and protect the wildlife sharing our environment.