The Path to Bird-Safe Design & Architecture

Glass collisions are a leading biodiversity concern today, killing at least one billion birds annually in the US alone. This webinar examines the technical, legislative, and design pathways shaping the emerging bird-safe architecture standard. Participants will review the scientific basis for collision deterrence, explore current requirements in LEED v5 and municipal legislation, and evaluate real-world retrofit case studies such as McCormick Place in Chicago. Participants can expect to gain practical insights into bird-friendly design that align with sustainability goals and modern architectural aesthetics.

By the end of this webinar, attendees will be able to:

• Understand the scope of bird–glass collisions using current mortality estimates and their effect on vulnerable species.
• Recognize legislative trends and LEED v5 requirements that address bird-safe design in new and existing buildings.
• Differentiate between mitigation strategies (such as glass treatment and lighting policies) and assess their field-tested efficacy.
• Apply practical design and policy solutions to reduce bird collisions in commercial and residential projects.

This webinar can be self-reported for one free general hour of LEED, WELL, and/or AIA continuing education.