UC’s renovated Old Chem will feature bird-safe glass

Migratory and resident birds die by the hundreds of thousands each year across the United States after they fly into glass reflecting tree branches or open sky. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service says the problem is impacting bird populations around the globe.

But as part of the $190 million renovation of Old Chem on UC’s Uptown campus, windows feature a pattern of slightly opaque dots that break up the reflection and warn birds of the otherwise unseen obstacles.

UC’s renovation project will provide a unique opportunity to demonstrate the benefits of bird-safe glass by comparing bird strikes before and after renovations, he said. He anticipates seeing a sharp decline in bird strikes around the renovated building, he said.

Likewise, UC Professor Theresa Culley said she incorporated the Old Chem window project in her classroom instruction.

“We used that in my conservation biology course,” she said. “It’s perfect for that. We’re talking about problems in the environment. How can you use smart design to reduce the impact on wildlife?”

But more than that, Culley said, projects like this demonstrate UC’s interest in being a good environmental steward. UC’s College of Arts and Sciences is seeing growing enrollment in the School of Environment and Sustainability.

“We have a lot of students who are interested in the environment and want to leave the world a better place,” Culley said. “Our world has many challenges — and the younger generation is seeing that and wants to do something about it.”

There are a few prominent examples of bird-safe glass in Cincinnati, including several windows in front of habitats at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden. Canterbury said he is working with Cincinnati Audubon to spread the word about the project.

“I speak for myself and not necessarily for Cincinnati Audubon’s board when I say, ‘Bravo!’ for the Old Chem glass,” Cincinnati author and wildlife photographer Steve Maslowski said.

Canterbury said people can take steps, many of them inexpensive and simple, to mitigate bird strikes in their own homes or businesses. Many birds cover long distances at night, but artificial lights can confuse and disorient them.

UC biologists have discovered that insects like monarch butterflies, too, can become disoriented by artificial lights. When they rest overnight under artificial lights, they have more trouble navigating the next day. The artificial light interferes with the molecular processes responsible for the butterfly’s remarkable navigational ability.

“Turn off as many lights as you can at night, which saves not only birds but bats, insects, amphibians and more,” Canterbury said.

Cincinnati Audubon is trying to raise public awareness about the dangers migrating birds face from window strikes. Cities from Oregon to Florida even have “lights out” programs during spring and fall migration to help birds and other animals safely reach their destination.

“There are many bird-friendly designs and retrofits to reduce avian window strikes,” he said.

Meanwhile, the UC project could serve as a model for other public or private buildings, Culley said. Culley said people outside UC routinely ask to see the university's greenhouses to learn about new technology, research and growing practices.

“It's a huge win,“ Culley said.

Featured image at top: UC Professor Theresa Culley is promoting UC's new bird-safe glass windows in the renovated Old Chem building. Photo/Andrew Higley/UC Marketing + Brand