Chicago's
Changing Nightscape

To have two levels of government co-operating on programs to protect migratory birds from urban lights is still a dizzying dream for FLAP. In Chicago it's actually happening.

This Illinois metropolis occupies a significant parcel of southwestern shoreline on Lake Michigan. Some north/south migrants follow the shore (many others fly in a wide band across the state). A leisurely migration might see them flying low, stopping often, taking advantage of waterfront green space. But those in a hurry, attempting to cover hundreds of miles in a single night, might fly a hundred storeys above the ground, in line with the tops of the tallest towers. Vanity lights intended to show off the city to residents and visitors would then take their toll in birds.

The Lights Out program is changing all that. Sponsored by City Hall in co-operation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the program urges building managers to ensure that the lights are turned off at night during the two migration seasons. By most accounts this simple measure has saved thousands of lives.

Ken Wysocki, a lawyer and avian activist who works and lives downtown, has seen the evidence

for himself. Around the centre-core buildings where he walks Ken used to find dozens of dead and injured birds on a "bad" morning. Now he may see one or two. Cleaning staff at 311 South Wacker Drive (dubbed the "Wedding Cake Building" thanks to its crown of exceedingly bright, multi-tiered lights) say the same. They recall the days of scooping dead birds off the roof with a shovel. This year, there were few birds to be found.

Linda Day, a member of the Building Owners and Managers Association in Chicago and chair of the city's Nature and Wildlife Committee, credits the pro-active approach to wilderness of Mayor Daley. Such high-level backing of the program (now in its fourth season) has ensured the participation of 14 of the tallest towers to date. And they are tall - the Sears Tower at 110 storeys has one of the world's highest occupied floors. (Toronto's tallest office tower, #1 First Canadian Place, is 72 storeys high.).

The Lights Out program is but one aspect, albeit critical, of the Treaty for Birds signed by the City of Chicago and U.S. Fish and Wildlife in March 2000. The treaty pledges several hundred thousand dollars to improve habitat at four major lakefront stopover sites, to acquire greenspace around Lake Calumet, to formulate bird-protection policy, to field-test tree and shrub species for their wildlife food and shelter value, and to educate and involve the public in safeguarding birds.

All of this is wonderful, but as Ken points out, the significance of saving birds has not yet trickled down to all levels of planning. A case in point is Soldier's Field. Everyone agrees that this waterfront football stadium, whose popularity has slipped in recent years, needs an overhaul. Unfortunately, the current push is to redesign it using towering walls of glass on the lakefront and inland sides. The good news is that this plan has evoked a strong public outcry over the likelihood of bird deaths.

That response is encouraging.

It demonstrates a high degree of awareness about bird conservation issues in a city that simply by virtue of its size, location and the height and magnificence of its buildings (which cry out to be lit up at night!) will kill birds.

With everyone doing their part though - like weatherman Tom Skilling of WGN News who announces when the birds are coming and shows bird tracking radar on television - Chicago may soon surpass even Toronto in its efforts at saving birds. But we'll be sure to give them a run for their money.