The UW-Madison Green Fund supports student ideas that improve campus sustainability, including this project! For more information, contact Ian Aley at iraley@wisc.edu
Project Background
Students worked with UW Housing and Campus Planning Landscape Architecture staff to install dots on the windows of Ogg Residence Hall in June 2020 after a citizen science effort, the Bird Collision Corps, identified it as a hotspot on campus for bird collisions with glass. The dots, which make the windows more visible, have reduced bird deaths by 90%.
This hallway connecting the two halves of the building was particularly dangerous for birds because the windows on both sides make it appear as if it was a clear flight path. The trees in the courtyard attract birds and give them a reason to want to fly to the other side of the hallway.
This pilot location contributed to a policy change at the UW and City of Madison level. Bird-friendly glass is now the standard for all new construction and renovation projects 10,000 square feet or larger.
In February 2024, the City of Middleton passed a matching ordinance, expanding the area of bird-safe building design in the Madison area.
Get Involved
Seven Ways to Make your Home More Bird-Friendly
There are always ways to make your home a habitable and safe space for wildlife! Check out this article to see how you can be involved at home.
Prevent Bird-Window Collisions at Home
Learn more about how to install dots on your windows at home to reduce bird collisions.
Monitor Bird Collisions
If you would like to help monitor bird collisions on campus, contact Brenna Marsicek, Director of Outreach, Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance: bmarsicek@swibirds.org
Get involved with the Green Fund
If you would like to improve the sustainability of the UW–Madison campus by getting involved with a Green Fund project, please email Ian Aley, Green Fund Program Manager: iraley@wisc.edu
Media Coverage About This Project
Bird-Safe Glass Partnerships Take Flight
Read this article about additional Green Fund projects inspired by the one at Ogg.
Building Safer Cities for Birds
Scroll to page 40 of this case study from the Yale Law School for a discussion of policy in Madison.
Madison Audubon Newsletter August 2020
Scroll to page 9 to read about the Ogg Bird Window project!
Grid is Good
Read this Isthmus article highlighting the Ogg Bird Collision Mitigation project.
From citizen to scientist: How anyone can advance scientific research
This article on the importance of citizen science highlights the Ogg Bird project as an example!
Grid is Good: Bird Safe Glass on Isthmus on WORT
Listen to the WORT feature the Isthmus article on the Ogg Bird Safe Glass.
Project Partners
- Students
- Facilities Planning and Management
- University Housing Staff
- Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology
- Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance
- Office of Sustainability
Shelby Weidenkopf
Mace Drumright
Ethan Plumier
Blake Cwynar
University Housing
Roxanne Hammer – Capital Projects Manager
Mike Kinderman – Associate Director of University Housing, Director of Building Services
Todd Duwe – Assistant Director of Residence Hall Facilities, Capital Projects Manager
Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance
Brenna Marsicek – Director of Outreach
Matt Reetz – Executive Director
Birds of Wisconsin
Here are some charismatic species that are particularly vulnerable to collisions with buildings 1-3 stories tall with their likelihood of collision compared to the average.
Image Gallery
Ogg Bird Strike Mitigation Application
Are you interested in applying for the Green Fund for a similar project? Click on the link below to view the application for this project. For more information on application requirements, visit the Green Fund Application Information page.