Green buildings usually conjure images of super-efficient, high-
tech constructions, not stunned or dead birds. Unfortunately,
some of the buildings that rate highest in energy efficiency and
other green factors are also among the biggest bird killers.
Expanses of glass strategically placed to make the most of the
sun’s light and heat are invisible to birds. Rain gardens and
trees planted around green buildings attract birds and make
collisions more likely. As many as one billion birds die in
building collisions in the United States each year. While cities
like San Francisco and Chicago have developed guidelines for
creating safer cities for birds, bird-friendly attributes are
also now getting attention from the United States Green Building
Council‘s LEED certification program, the nation’s standard
setter for green construction. Thanks to a campaign by the
American Bird Conservancy and the Bird-Safe Glass Foundation,
builders and designers will soon be able to earn credit toward
LEED certification by featurin