Green Building is killing birds at Emory University

Reflective glass on the Mathematics and Science building at Emory University is so attractive that dozens of birds confuse the view, smashing into the panes during migratory season. The problem is not unique to Emory, however. "Turns out, environmentally friendly buildings are often bird killers. Ornithologist Daniel Klem, a professor at Muhlenberg College in Pennsylvania who has studied the problem for decades, said between 100 million and 1 billion birds die in the United States each year in collisions with glass," as reported in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The story describes various efforts by Emory (which drapes the windows with netting during migratory season) and other colleges to help the birds out, noting that construction and glass companies may need to be involved in considering ways to address the problem. (This entry published by Liz Riley, a member of Womble Carlyle's construction and real estate devleopment group.)