Postcards sent by Avian Advocates in support of Int. 1482, the Bird-friendly material bill, in Fall 2019. Photo: NYC Bird Alliance
Become an Avian Advocate
Whether it's by meeting with government officials, coordinating public letter-writing campaigns and public comments, or raising consciousness of the dangers facing our birds and their habitats via outreach events, distributed brochures and educational materials, and social media, NYC Bird Alliance advocacy volunteers are integral in pushing this meaningful work forward. Learn what immediate actions you can take to help protect birds and habitats, and how to stay informed about issues.
Actions You Can Take Right Now to Help Birds
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Horseshoe crabs gather on Plumb Beach to spawn. Photo credit: Roslyn Rivas
Ask Governor Hochul to Ban the Harvest of Horseshoe Crabs
Horseshoe crabs are a keystone species in decline that support a number of vulnerable bird species. A.10140 (Glick) / S.3185-A (Hoylman-Sigal) would prohibit the taking of horseshoe crabs for commercial and biomedical purposes in NY State. The bill has already passed the NY State Assembly and Senate and just needs the Governor’s signature to become law.
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Tribute in Light Memorial commemorates those list during the 9/11 attacks by projecting two beams of light into the sky where the Twin Towers once stood. Photo credit: Roslyn Rivas
Ask your City Council Member to Co-sponsor Lights Out Bill
Up to a quarter million birds are killed in collisions with glass annually in NYC alone. Artificial light at night attracts and disorients birds, confusing them and making them more susceptible to collisions both at night and during the day. Turning off the lights saves birds, reduces energy costs, and improves human health and mental well being.
Int. 0896, introduced in City Council by Council Member Francisco Moya, would require privately-owned commercial and industrial buildings in NYC to turn off non-essential lights at night. Urge your NYC Council Member to co-sponsor Int. 0896 for the health of birds and people!
Int. 0896, introduced in City Council by Council Member Francisco Moya, would require privately-owned commercial and industrial buildings in NYC to turn off non-essential lights at night. Urge your NYC Council Member to co-sponsor Int. 0896 for the health of birds and people!
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Flaco, the Eurasian Eagle-Owl, sits in a tree in Central Park. Photo: @Rhododendrites
Ask your Elected Officials to Co-Sponsor the FLACO Act
Introduced in the NY State Senate by State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal (District 47) and the NY State Assembly by State Assemblymember Dr. Anna R. Kelles (District 125), the FLACO Act would amend the public buildings law to incorporate the use of bird-safe features, practices, and strategies to reduce bird fatality resulting from collisions with state-owned or state-leased buildings. The FLACO Act needs your support.
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Lights Out legislation aims to make New York City less attractive, and less hazardous, to night-migrating birds by limiting artificial light at night during peak migration. Photo: Getty Images
Ask Your Elected Officials to Co-Sponsor the Dark Skies Protection Act
Introduced in the NY State Senate by State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal (District 47) and the NY State Assembly by State Assemblymember Patricia Fahy (District 109), the Dark Skies Protection Act would add a new article to the environmental conservation law, which provides for the control of light pollution in New York State and establishes limits on the use of outdoor lighting. The Dark Skies Protection Act needs your support.
The pollinator garden atop the Javits Center absorbs rain water and provides stopover habitat for migrating birds. Photo: Javits Center
Thank Governor Hochul for Supporting NYC Green Roofs
Green roofs in New York City provide critical stopover habitat for migrating birds and foraging habitat for resident birds during the breeding season. The Green Roof Tax Abatement will renew and extend the green roof tax abatement program (which incentivizes building owners to install green roofs by offering tax abatements per square foot of green roof) and modify the program to reduce barriers to participation.
Please thank Governor Hochul for signing on to the renewal of the Green Roof Tax Abatement for a more green, climate-resilient, and bird-friendly NYC!
Advocate for Bird-Friendly Materials in Problem Buildings
Have you noticed that the building you live in or that a building you have passed by has windows that cause bird collisions during migration? You can use this template letter and additional outreach resources to let the building owners, board, or management team know that there are solutions to this issue.
Sign Up to Receive Avian Advocates Action Alerts
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