Bird-Friendly Campus Initiative
Each year, birds die from preventable window collisions across Canada. At Trent, we’re taking action to ensure our campus remains a safe haven for birds, now and into the future.
Located in the heart of a major migratory route, Trent’s Symons Campus is home to almost 200 species of birds, with our forests, wetlands, and the Otonabee River providing food, shelter, and rest.
Proximity to buildings, especially those with reflective glass, can be deadly. Birds can't tell the difference between the sky and its reflection, and the result is often fatal.
Trent is taking steps to change that.
A safer campus for birds starts here
As part of our commitment to bird safety, Trent is installing window decal demonstration pieces from Feather Friendly. These bird-friendly window pieces will first be placed on front-facing windows in high-collision areas, such as the First Peoples House of Learning, Athletics Centre, and Science Complex.
The installation of these demonstration pieces aims to raise awareness of bird safety, show what is possible in terms of window decals, and guide future retrofits across campus. The piece will be relocated to high-visibility areas and event locations as needed on campus to increase awareness.
Embedding bird safety
We’re embedding bird safety in new developments and existing campus spaces. This includes installing bird-safe windows and bird decals, such as those in the Student Centre, to prevent deadly window strikes and designing buildings with nature in mind.
Beyond buildings
Bird safety goes beyond buildings. We are actively working to protect natural habitats across the Nature Areas and campus core, promote safe feeding practices, and work to educate our community.
Trent is committed to safeguarding the ecosystems that birds depend on while helping students, faculty, and visitors do the same. Learn more.
