I wish I could go to this! Too bad it wasn't advertised sooner. This is a great first step to solving the problem instead of complaining and blaming about it.

A conference on hazards faced by birds from tall structures such as buildings, communication, wind energy generators and power transmission towers and lines is scheduled for Oct. 13 at the Ho-Chunk Convention Center, Wisconsin Dells.

The conference features speakers representing the power and communications industries, glass manufacturers and wildlife management organizations and agencies. Conference and registration information can be found on the Madison Audubon Society Web Page.

Biologists estimate that more than 1 billion birds die each year from collisions with glass and many more from hitting other man made hazards such as broadcast tower guy lines and power transmission lines.

Organizers of the “No Bird Left Behind” conference are seeking to open new lines of communication and information sharing with those who plan, own and operate tall structures that can affect migrating birds. The conference will offer panel presentations on current knowledge about why birds collide with buildings, towers, wind energy generators and transmission lines.

The conference is open to all concerned or interested citizens and is cosponsored by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, the Wisconsin Bird Conservation Initiative and Bird Conservation Minnesota. The Wisconsin Audubon Council is organizing the event.

Bird Interactions with Tall Structures
and How to Reduce the Risk

New information will be added as it becomes available.

Friday, October 13, 2006

Purpose:

Create awareness and increase knowledge of the problems migratory birds face from tall structures such as buildings, transmission towers, and wind energy generators
Gain understanding of the restrictions on owners/operators of these structures
Bring interested parties together to discuss the problems
Open lines of communication and foster cooperation to help alleviate the problems

Who should attend:

Industry representatives: building managers, owners; architects, broadcasting station owners, staff (engineers); wind energy equipment owners and operators; government decision makers and technical staff involved in regulating tall structures, environmentalists and bird lovers

Hosted by: Wisconsin Audubon Council
Co-sponsors: Wisconsin Bird Conservation Initiative (WBCI), Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Bird Conservation Minnesota

Schedule:
FRIDAY, October 13
8:00 a.m. Registration

9:00 Light continental breakfast provided

9:30 WELCOME AND INTRODUCTION
Master of Ceremonies: Peter Cannon, Madison Audubon Society and regional director, National Audubon Society
Keynote speaker: Noel Cutright, Wisconsin Society for Ornithology

10:15 PLENARY PANELS
Birds and Buildings — Daniel Klem, Muhlenberg College, PA, expert on bird collisions with glass;
Rick Voelker, Viracon, manufacturer of glass coatings, Wausau, WI, and
Scott Diehl, Wisconsin Humane Society and “WiNGS,” Wisconsin Night Guardians for Songbirds, Milwaukee. Q&A.

11:30 Broadcast Communication Towers — John Laabs, President, Wisconsin Broadcasters Assn., Madison, and
Joelle Gehring, Michigan Natural Features Inventory, Lansing. Q&A.
12:30 p.m. Lunch provided

1:30 Wind Energy and Electric Transmission/Distribution Lines — Leakhena Au, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Green Bay, WI; and
Rich Carleton, Electric Power Research Institute, Palo Alto, CA. A wind energy representative will be announced. Q&A.

3:00 Break

3:20 FINDING COMMON GROUND
Participants interact in facilitated discussion groups to identify priority issues and action that can be taken.

4:35 WRAP-UP
Report out from discussion groups, dialogue; commitments for the future

5:00 Adjourn for dinner

5:15 Cash bar

5:45 Dinner (heavy hors d’oeuvres) provided

6:30 SPEAKER
Migration & Technology — Albert Manville, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Washington, DC

7:30 Adjourn for the day