“Make the World Safer for Birds and People: Fixing Lights and Windows” with Dr. Joelle Gehring

On Thursday, September 12, at 7:00 pm Dr. Joelle Gehring will present “Make the World Safer for Birds and People: Fixing Lights and Windows.” This public lecture will be held in the Byrd Auditorium at the National Conservation Training Center, 698 Conservation Way, Shepherdstown, WV 25443.

Every year in the United States nearly one billion birds collide with lit structures and glass, mainly at low-rise buildings and homes. Light attracts migrating birds thereby increasing their risk of collisions with buildings and other structures. Fortunately, we can use easy and cost-saving solutions. By turning off unnecessary lights, closing curtains, and adding small, discrete patterns spaced 2-inches by 2-inches apart we can help birds and save money. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with partners to reduce bird collisions at federal facilities and beyond. More and more people are taking steps to reduce collisions at their homes and businesses. Learn how you can join the growing flock and make a difference for birds and people.

Dr. Joelle Gehring is a Biologist in the Division of Bird Conservation, Permits, and Regulations in the Migratory Bird Program of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Dr. Gehring works to reduce bird collisions with communications towers, lights, and glass. She also leads the Council for the Conservation of Migratory Birds. Prior to joining the USFWS, she worked for the Federal Communications Commission where she worked with tower operators to minimize bird collisions with communications towers. Dr. Gehring was a Senior Conservation Scientist with Michigan State University where she designed and supervised a multi-year, landscape scale study of bird collisions at communications towers. She also studied wildlife interactions with wind energy facilities and used those data to improve turbine siting. Throughout her career Dr. Gehring has used science and stakeholder input to develop and disseminate information on mainstreaming and cost-effective methods to reduce wildlife-human conflicts. Dr. Gehring completed her Ph.D. in Wildlife Ecology at Purdue University, her M.S. in Wildlife and Fisheries Resources at West Virginia University, and her B.S., in Biology and Wildlife Management at the University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point.

Prior to the presentation, at 6:30 pm, we will provide a short tour of bird friendly window and lighting treatments near the Byrd Auditorium area.

No tickets or reservations are required. All are welcome! For more information, please contact Mark Madison (304-876-7276) mark_madison@fws.gov

This presentation will be recorded and available for online viewing on September 19 at 2:00pm ET from the NCTC Broadcast page: https://www.fws.gov/broadcasts.