Title
Resolution Recommending that City Council Support the Great Lakes Safe Passage Days to Protect Night-Migrating Birds During the Spring and Fall Migration Seasons
Memorandum
Attached is a resolution unanimously approved by the Park Advisory Commission at its February 24, 2009 meeting, recommending that City Council take formal measures in support of Great Lakes Safe Passage Days to protect migrating birds.
According to our local Audubon Societies, more than 250 species of night-migrating birds, including some declining steeply in numbers, fly over Michigan, including Ann Arbor, during their migration seasons. Scientists estimate that hundreds of millions of birds are killed every year in North America from lighted tall buildings that are in their flight path, because the lights of tall buildings interfere with their navigation systems, causing them to repeatedly circle the illuminated buildings until they either die from exhaustion or from colliding into windows.
Because turning lights off from the 5th floor and up between the hours of 11:00 PM and sunrise, and pulling shades in areas where lights must be on, will save the lives of many night-migrating birds, our local Audubon Societies are promoting a program called Safe Passage Great Lakes Days to encourage voluntary cooperation with this practice.
Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm issued a proclamation designating March 15 - May 31 and August 15 - October 31 as Safe Passage Great Lakes days. To date the cities of Detroit, Southfield and Jackson have passed Safe Passage Resolutions.
The Park Advisory Commission recommends that City Council approve a resolution that:
• Formally states its support of the Safe Passage program;
• Directs City staff to turn off lights or pull shades from the 5th floor and above in all City-occupied buildings between the hours of 11:00 PM. and sunrise during Safe Passage Great Lakes Days wherever possible and practical; and,
• Encourages business owners, building ma...
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