For the past 17 years, FLAP volunteers have healed and released 40% of the 45 000 birds they’ve rescued due to collisions with office buildings.
The Fatal Light Awareness Program (FLAP) began its bird conservation efforts over 17 years ago. Volunteers rescue migratory birds that collide with office towers as lights are left on at night or mirrored by the sun during the day.
FLAP volunteers realized their prevention and rescue efforts had to be expanded into a workable, creative and economically viable solution. In partnering with corporate owners, conservation groups and government, FLAP created educational tools to create and support bird-friendly cities. Through collaborative efforts, they created an opaque window film to minimize collissions and initiated the Bird-Friendly Building Program.
With support of the municipal government of Toronto, the Lights Out! Program was also formed to encourage building owners to turn off lights in office towers at night and created mandatory development guidelines for architects, developers, window and film manufacturers, based on the Bird Friendly development guidelines and rating system introduced by FLAP in 2009.
To date, FLAP volunteers have collected over 45 000 birds, with a 40% recovery rate, allowing for birds to be released back into their migratory journey. FLAP also runs workshops on how to rescue birds and approached cities and towns to initiate education, rescue and rehabilitation programs locally.
