Jenkins is proud to steward 48 acres of vital habitat, where migrating and resident birds alike find food, shelter, and protection. As gardeners and conservationists, we believe in cultivating spaces that support wildlife, not endanger it. Yet even in our carefully tended landscape, a hidden threat remains—the 2,000 square feet of glass windows that wrap our John J. Willaman Education Center. With spring migration underway, we need to act now to protect the wildlife we work so hard to support.
Photos: Liz Pettit
Now more than ever, birds need our help!
Donate now to reduce bird collisions by up to 90%.
Help us reach our goal of $26,000 to install deterrent markers on 130 untreated windows around the Education Center. Together, we can make Jenkins a safer place for our feathered friends!
“As gardeners, we put so much care into creating spaces where wildlife can thrive—but it’s just as important to make sure those spaces are truly safe. Join me in making Jenkins—and our own homes—safer for birds!”
– Bonnie Witmer, lifelong birder and Visitor Services Associate at Jenkins
A Global Crisis, A Local Solution
The Problem
Every year, more than 1 billion birds are killed in window collisions.
Glass is worse than invisible to birds, who fly headfirst into reflections of vegetation and sky. 54 – 76% of collisions are fatal. Even when a bird seems to be only temporarily stunned, it is likely to die later from internal bleeding or bruising, or predation. It’s not an exaggeration to say that untreated glass windows are one of the biggest human-caused threats to birds.
The Solution
Unlike most problems, window collisions are easily solved. Visible markers on windows – spaced no more than 2″ apart vertically and horizontally – are proven to reduce collisions by up to 90%. Markers are quick to install, and a variety of DIY and off-the-shelf options make retrofitting untreated windows easy and economical.
Here at Jenkins, we’ll be installing markers from Feather Friendly, a global leader in bird deterrent technology.
Further Reading
- Solid Air: Invisible Killer (Dr. Daniel Klem, Jr.)
- Preventing Bird Collisions at Home (American Bird Conservancy)
- Why Birds Hit Windows – And How You Can Help Prevent It (Cornell Lab of Ornithology)
- Bird Collisions (Bird Safe Philly)
- Why Birds Collide with Windows and How We Can Prevent It (Feather Friendly)
- Protecting Birds from Striking Glass Windows (Audubon Pennsylvania)
Other ways to get involved, right now
Engage in Citizen Science
Collaborate with birders worldwide through eBird. Log bird sightings to contribute useful biodiversity data and have a direct impact on the conservation of birds and their habitats.
Cultivate Habitat
Transform your yard into a bird haven! Explore our calendar of programs to learn how you can transform your backyard into a wildlife oasis. Don’t miss our next bird walk, April 21st at 7:45 AM.
Join Lights Out Philly
Protect migrating birds by turning off non-essential lights from midnight to 6 AM during spring migration, April 1 – May 31. A simple switch can help reduce deadly nighttime collisions.
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