Your Action Needed
by Susan Saul
The Vancouver City Council will be voting to adopt the proposed Green Building Program at its regular meeting on Monday, January 12, 2026.
The Green Building Program is part of the City of Vancouver’s commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and building a more resilient community, including Goals 4.1, Bird-friendly Design (includes bird-safe glass); Goal 4.2, Dark Skies Lighting; and Goal 4.3, Tree, Vegetation and Soil Conservation to improve air quality, increase tree canopy coverage, increase biodiversity, and minimize urban heat islands.
A public hearing will precede the vote. This is a time for bird advocates to speak up in support of bird-safe windows and dark skies lighting, and thank the City Council for taking this action.
The City Council meeting will start at 6:30 pm in the Council Chambers, City Hall, 415 W. 6th St., Vancouver.
Testimony will be accepted in the following manner:
- Written comments submitted in advance: Email comments to the City Council until noon, January 12, 2026, to council@cityofvancouver.us. Comments will be compiled and sent to the City Council and entered into the record.
- In-person or remote testimony during the meeting: Register in advance or register in-person at City Hall. In-person registration is open until 6:30 p.m. on January 12, 2026. Instructions will be provided on-site. Online registration is open until noon on January 12, 2026. Testimony is limited to 3 minutes per person.
- Some suggested points to make in your comments:
- Window glass on homes, low rise buildings and high-rise buildings poses one of the most common hazards for birds in the built environment. Researchers estimate that up to 1 billion birds die every year in the United States alone from colliding with a window.
- Solutions are available at commercial and residential scales to reduce this deadly hazard.
- Millions of birds migrate across North America every year. Most birds make this remarkable and perilous journey at night, visualizing the magnetic pull of the earth and using the moon and stars to set their course.
- Once trapped in the windowed maze of the city, birds either hit buildings directly or circle them until they collapse from exhaustion.
- By reducing skyglow over our cities, we can help migrating birds make it to their destinations safely. Lights Out programs and Dark Skies lighting help to prevent birds from being attracted to urban areas.
Vancouver Audubon 