On Friday, May 2, a symposium will be held at University at Buffalo, featuring regional and national experts who will be championing Buffalo as a “Bird-Safe City.”
“Presenters are among the nation’s foremost authorities in their fields, bringing cutting-edge insight and practical solutions to Bird-Friendly Buffalo,” says Ed Sirianno, Executive Director at Buffalo Audubon Society. “We are honored to also have presenters from the WNY community who are taking the lead in our community-wide bird-friendly initiatives.”
Buffalo lies along a critical flyway for migratory birds. What we do here matters for birds across the continent. Let’s make WNY a region where birds can thrive—one building, one light, one action at a time.
This bird-friendly Buffalo movement is just one of many that are taking place these days, with hopes that Buffalo’s application as a designated Bird-Friendly City will be recognized.
Symposium Presentation Topics:
- Bird-Friendly Cities & Urban Planning: Tim Beatley, Teresa Heinz Professor of Sustainable Communities, University of Virginia & Author, Bird-Friendly Cities
- The Importance of Bird-Safe Glass: Jim Cubie, Founder and Co-Director, ornithologycenter.com and birdfriendlyyards.net
- Lights Out Buffalo: A Business & Conservation Win: Bill Massaro, Board Member, Buffalo Audubon Society
- Bird Migration & Backyard Conservation: Tom Kerr, Senior Naturalist, Buffalo Audubon
The initiative is led by the Buffalo Audubon Society, in partnership with conservation organizations, corporations, individuals and local leaders, and aims to:
- Reduce bird-building collisions
- Advocate for bird-safe glass and architecture
- Promote “Lights Out” policies during migration
- Encourage native plant landscaping
- Engage schools, businesses, and homeowners
Event Details:
In person or via Zoom online
11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Friday, May 2, 2025
University at Buffalo, NYS Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics and Life Sciences, 701 Ellicott St.
Visit www.birdfriendlybuffalo.com to register, learn more, and join the movement.
Buffalo’s application to become a Bird-Friendly City will be recognized. The Buffalo Audubon Society has launched the Bird-Friendly Buffalo initiative, which aligns with the National Audubon Society’s efforts to create a bird-friendly environment. This initiative encourages local communities to adopt practices like planting native plants, minimizing window collisions, reducing light pollution, and avoiding harmful rodenticides. The Bird-Friendly Buffalo movement is dedicated to creating a safe and healthy environment for birds in Western New York.