Bird-Friendly Campus Initiative at Texas A&M University in College Station
COLLEGE STATION, Texas – A heartfelt petition was delivered to Texas A&M President Mark A. Welsh III on Wednesday, with the goal of making the campus friendlier to our feathered friends. This initiative has been brought to life by an impressive number of 20 organizations, including notable groups like the Rio Brazos Audubon Society and Audubon Texas. Their unified cry for action highlights an alarming issue: the Texas A&M AgriLife Complex has become the unfortunate hotspot for bird fatalities on campus.
Collisions on the Rise
The petition underscores the increasing danger birds face from collisions with buildings. As the trend of constructing glass-sided structures continues, birds are finding themselves at greater risk. A staggering study from Cornell University revealed that since 1970, 3 billion birds have perished in North America, with a third of these deaths attributed to collisions with buildings. It’s a concerning statistic that has ignited a sense of urgency among advocates.
Student-Led Collision Monitoring
In March 2023, an innovative and student-led collision monitoring study took off on campus. In partnership with the Texas Conservation Alliance, students from the Biodiversity Research and Teaching Collections are gathering crucial data during migration seasons. These diligent volunteers are tracking bird collisions over a 4-mile stretch, and the findings are shocking: nearly 500 birds have been reported as casualties, with collisions involving 47 different buildings on campus. The AgriLife Complex tops the list as the most dangerous structure.
Urgent Call for Action
As wild as it sounds, these numbers are likely just the tip of the iceberg. The petition reveals that the actual number of victims is likely much higher, stating, “These heavy losses are nonetheless a drastic underestimate.” Among the bird species affected, some of them are on the Texas Parks and Wildlife’s Species of Greatest Conservation need list, ramping up the urgency of the situation.
Lights Out Texas Initiative
The authors of the petition have put forth actionable suggestions. One of the standout ideas is the implementation of a campus-wide “Lights Out” policy. This well-timed initiative, already in effect in many big Texas cities, involves dimming non-essential lights during peak migration periods – March 1 through June 15 and August 15 through November 30 – to minimize risk to traveling birds.
Retroactive Solutions
Aside from the “Lights Out” initiative, the petition advocates for retroactive solutions for existing buildings. Suggestions include adding bird-friendly decals or applying UV film treatments on windows to reduce daytime collisions while still allowing visibility from both sides. To fund these essential upgrades, tapping into the Aggie Green Fund could provide a great solution, allowing sustainability projects to flourish.
Setting the Example
The university’s commitment to sustainability is appreciated, but there’s a collective recognition that the rising death rates of birds due to collisions is a preventable crisis. They hope that this effort can effectively lead to “a safer environment for our birds while fostering a culture of environmental stewardship within our campus community.”
University Response
In a promising turn of events, Texas A&M’s President Welsh has already responded positively to the petition, urging the campus Chief Operating Officer, Peter Lange, to assess the letter. Welsh stated he is looking into costs, timelines, and practical solutions and plans to meet soon to discuss the way ahead.
A Bright Future for Birds
With 254 signatures backing the petition, including students, alumni, and wildlife conservation experts, there’s a strong movement aimed at preserving bird populations in the Texas A&M community. The hope is to meet with university officials to explore collaborative opportunities moving forward. As Mark McDermott, President of the Rio Brazos Audubon Society, remarked, “It’s great news.”
The petition is just the beginning, and it has the potential to spark a bright future for birds at Texas A&M University.
