By David Mintz

Travis Audubon’s efforts to encourage more bird-safe buildings in Austin have been gaining attention from city officials.

On August 6, TAS consultant Heidi Trudell will be making a presentation to the Austin Planning and Zoning Commission on ways the city can adopt policies to prevent birds from colliding with buildings.

Similar presentations have been made in recent months to the city’s Design Commission, Environmental Commission, and the South Central Waterfront Advisory Board.

Following Trudell’s presentation to the Environmental Commission, it passed a resolution by Commissioner Jennifer Bristol to form a working group to study best practices and make recommendations about potential city code changes to promote bird-safe design. The resolution also calls for the city to take other action including providing staff support to the working group, limiting the use of pesticides on city property, and encouraging developments to preserve wild spaces.

TAS is encouraging other groups to back this effort. Advocacy Chair Maura Powers recently spoke to the Austin Environmental Democrats, which subsequently passed a resolution to help promote bird-safe buildings.

The topic has also received attention in both the Austin American-Statesman and the Austin Monitor.

While more than 30 cities, including Chicago, New York, and San Francisco have ordinances to promote bird-safe design, there are none are in Texas.

Special thanks to Environmental Commission member Jennifer Bristol who is also a TAS member, for her work on this vital issue.

Photo by Luke Franke.