Bird-friendly skies

Save Energy. Save birds.

We can all work together to create a safer and more environmentally friendly experience for migrating birds.

Limiting our light at night, and transitioning to window treatments that stop birds from flying into buildings not only protects them, but cuts back on energy costs.

Why does it matter?

Light pollution impacts the behaviour of animals, fish and bugs, which impacts ecological health locally and nationally. Reducing wasted lighting energy is an easy and crucial way for the City  to reduce its carbon footprint, lessen light pollution and save money.

Other Ontario municipalities have implemented outdoor lighting ordinances to save energy costs and to preserve local bird species with positive results, and now London is doing the same.

The City of London's Advisory Committee on the Environment (ACE), Environment and Ecological Planning Advisory Committee (EEPAC), and Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (AWAC), encourage efforts to create bird-friendly communities through reduced light pollution and increased dark skies.

Bird-friendly skies help to:

• preserve local bird species
• reduce the number of birds colliding with buildings
• conserve your home or office's energy
• redirect light more effectively away from skies and reduces light pollution

New lighting design criteria

Through recent changes to the Site Plan Control By-law, development requiring Site Plan Approval (commercial and multi-family residential) are required to design and construct developments to do the following:

• direct lighting towards the area requiring illumination to reduce sky glow and light pollution which creates bird-friendly development.
• provide full cut-off and have zero up lighting.

For questions on the new lighting criteria for Site Plan, contact Development Services: 519-661-3500, or email DevelopmentServices@london.ca.

Did you know?

• 25 million birds die in Canada from crashing into windows each year.
• there are at least 23 bird species at risk that collide with buildings in Canada.
• in 2019, scientists reported a 29% decrease in birds since 1970.
• visit birdsafe.ca for tips to protect birds at your home and office.

Source: FLAP Canada