What is a Bird Safe Campus?
A Bird-Safe Campus is a campus that has implemented sustainable Bird-Safe infrastructure, solutions, and practices.
FLAP Canada launched the Bird-Safe Campus Campaign in response to the high number of bird deaths due to bird-window collisions:"Over 1 billion birds are killed by building collisions across North America every year, with over 25 million migratory birds dying from building collisions in Canada. Each bird represents not a statistic, but a life lost." (FLAP Canada)
Bird-window collisions are "one of the most significant sources of direct, human-caused mortality for birds, affecting young and old, common and endangered species alike" (FLAP Canada). The organization has provided many resources on their website on how to move forward with Bird Safe Infrastructure and a Bird Safe Campus, and UVSP is answering the call to move forward with this campaign for UVic Campus. Other Universities have been able to make strides in bird safe infrastructure, why can't we?
FLAP Canada launched the Bird-Safe Campus Campaign in response to the high number of bird deaths due to bird-window collisions:"Over 1 billion birds are killed by building collisions across North America every year, with over 25 million migratory birds dying from building collisions in Canada. Each bird represents not a statistic, but a life lost." (FLAP Canada)
Bird-window collisions are "one of the most significant sources of direct, human-caused mortality for birds, affecting young and old, common and endangered species alike" (FLAP Canada). The organization has provided many resources on their website on how to move forward with Bird Safe Infrastructure and a Bird Safe Campus, and UVSP is answering the call to move forward with this campaign for UVic Campus. Other Universities have been able to make strides in bird safe infrastructure, why can't we?
Why is UVIC not a Bird-Safe Campus?
Bird Collisions with Buildings on UVic Campus from findings of two studies of findings of eight buildings included in research studies. Created by Jenaya Hanninen.
On UVic campus alone, it’s estimated that between 885 and 1,342 birds die from collisions with 51 UVic Campus Buildings during September to February, which is the major fall and winter migration season for birds (Zulian et al., 2025). The University of Victoria is in the maritime Coastal Douglas-fir biogeoclimatic zone, sitting within a rain shadow along the Pacific coast. This region is inhabited by significant numbers of birds during the non-breeding season, and receives high levels of migration traffic. The North American coastline tends to concentrate fall migratory routes through the region. As a result, much of the suburban area in this region, including UVic campus, acts as a migratory stopover site for birds to rest, wait out weather conditions, and seek abundant high-energy foods during their travel.
While collisions do not always result in mortality, impact injuries can result in instantaneous or delayed death, sometimes with birds succumbing to injuries despite flying away following collisions. In many cases, no distinguishable evidence is left on a site following a collision event, making window collisions difficult to estimate. As a result, bird strike predictions are likely underestimates of actual collision rates.
While collisions do not always result in mortality, impact injuries can result in instantaneous or delayed death, sometimes with birds succumbing to injuries despite flying away following collisions. In many cases, no distinguishable evidence is left on a site following a collision event, making window collisions difficult to estimate. As a result, bird strike predictions are likely underestimates of actual collision rates.
Graphic design by artist Sonya Odsen from Zulian et al. (2025).
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The Martlet published an article, interviewing Dr. Blight and comparing the statistics and responses of UVic with those of the University of British Columbia (UBC) and other institutions. While UBC has an overall larger death toll, UVic's rate of Bird-Collision deaths is two times higher during the fall season— a rate 8 times greater when compared to 40 different campuses that were studied with the same methodology in North America.
"To me, it’s kind of incredible that we have a system where we essentially build death traps for these wild animals that are around us all the time.”
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We walked around campus looking at birds and the current infrastructure at UVic with the Gender Empowerment center in June 2026! Watch below to join us virtually on our bird walk.
Our Goals
"Action on behalf of life transforms. Because the relationship between self and the world is reciprocal, it is not a question of first getting enlightened or saved and then acting. As we work to heal the earth, the earth heals us.”
― Robin Wall Kimmerer (Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants, 2013)
― Robin Wall Kimmerer (Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants, 2013)
Our main goal is for UVic to implement measures for reducing collisions at problem buildings, to commit to bird-friendly guidelines for future buildings, and to include bird-friendly guidelines in renovation plans. We hope to implement a community bird collision monitoring program, provide UVic with a full proposal on implementing Bird-Friendly windows, provide chances for students and the larger campus community to engage with the issue through outreach, education, and advocacy, all while making current research more intelligible and practical.
The bird-safe campus initiative aligns with UVSP's emphasis on making sustainability into something proactive and applied. It addresses a specific campus concern—bird-window collisions—by combining research with practical solutions such as building design improvements and community outreach. By considering how campus infrastructure affects bird populations, it acknowledges that sustainability encompasses responsibility for non-human life as well as human usage of space.
You can read our full report with more information below! This is an evolving campaign, so keep updated on our social media and/or attend our weekly board meetings for different ways to get involved!
The bird-safe campus initiative aligns with UVSP's emphasis on making sustainability into something proactive and applied. It addresses a specific campus concern—bird-window collisions—by combining research with practical solutions such as building design improvements and community outreach. By considering how campus infrastructure affects bird populations, it acknowledges that sustainability encompasses responsibility for non-human life as well as human usage of space.
You can read our full report with more information below! This is an evolving campaign, so keep updated on our social media and/or attend our weekly board meetings for different ways to get involved!
Found an injured bird?
Sometimes walking along campus, you might find a bird that has been injured, most likely from flying into a window. Here are some resources in case you come across an injured bird!
Who to call
If you find an injured bird, call the BC SPCA Animal Helpline: 1.855.622.7722
How to safely rescue a bird
While overwhelming, there are steps to save a bird who's been injured.
Where's the closest rehabilitation center?
The only wildlife rehabilitation center in Southern Vancouver Island is BC SPCA’s Wild Animal Rehabilitation Centre (Wild ARC). They operate 365 days a year, to help sick, injured, and orphaned wild animals.
- Wild ARC Address: 1020 Malloch Rd, Victoria, BC V9C 4G9, Canada
- Phone Number: 1-855-622-7722