|
|
 |
 |
|
|
News |
|
|
|
2007 Fall TTC advertising campaign
A sincere thanks goes to one of our key stakeholders, Tridel for the Fall 2007 Lights Out Toronto! advertising campaign. This campaign runs for four weeks and includes posters in transit shelters and on recycling bins that help raise public awareness and engage the public to reduce migratory bird deaths. You can find other promotional items that spread the Lights Out Toronto! message to help raise the issue in the public eye.
Here's how you can help:
- make sure you turn off your office lights when you leave
- when working late, use task lighting and/or draw your office blinds
- take similar measures at home
Spring 2007: Bird-Friendly Development Guidelines
Toronto now has a two-winged approach to help save the lives of birds.
The Lights Out Toronto campaign launched last year calls on Torontonians to turn out unnecessary lighting at night so that birds, which become disoriented by city lights, will be less likely to collide with buildings.
The City officially releases its new Bird-Friendly Development Guidelines. As well as ways to reduce light pollution, the new guidelines recommend design-based development strategies, such as using non-reflective glass, incorporating visual markers, muting reflections, redesigning ventilation grates and placing internal greenery away from windows.
Deputy Mayor Joe Pantalone (Ward 19 Trinity-Spadina) thanked the many participants who helped write the guidelines. These included architects, development corporations, property management corporations, bird advocacy groups and City staff, in addition to the Canadian Wildlife Service which provided scientific, logistical and financial support for the Lights Out Toronto campaign and the Bird-Friendly Development Guidelines. The Deputy Mayor also said, "The final product is a very attractive and informative document that will greatly assist in mitigating the dangers the urban environment poses to migrating birds."
Toronto Hydro Corporation is a strong supporter of the City's efforts to both protect birds, particularly during migration season, and reduce light pollution. "There are multiple winners when you turn off unnecessary lights - your wallet, the Toronto Hydro electricity system and our fine feathered friends," said Joyce McLean, Director of Strategic Issues, Toronto Hydro Corporation.
Architect John Robert Carley, one of the participants, believes, "Our cities are massive obstacles to migrating birds. The implementation of the Bird-Friendly Development Guidelines starts a process to make that migration journey less perilous. Toronto leads the way, and sets a strong precedent for other North American cities to follow."
Fall 2006 campaign
On behalf of Mayor David Miller and City Council, Deputy Mayor Joe Pantalone (Ward 19, Trinity-Spadina) invites the public to participate in Lights Out Toronto and help save the lives of birds migrating to their winter nesting grounds.
"Migrating birds become disoriented by night-time lights and frequently collide with tall buildings or other structures", said Deputy Mayor Pantalone. "The City of Toronto, the Fatal Light Awareness Program (FLAP) and Toronto Hydro Corporation along with our other partners, are asking people to turn off unnecessary lighting, at work and at home."
"Sadly, because of lighting at night, thousands of birds die in Toronto's Financial District each year alone," Michael Mesure, Executive Director of FLAP, estimated. "Of the 158 species we typically find dead and/or injured, 65 are facing serious population decline. To help save these birds, please turn out lights whenever you can."
"Toronto Hydro Corporation is pleased to support the City of Toronto and FLAP's efforts to protect migrating bird species from harm. To our customers we will continue to say turn off your lights at night - it will not only save the birds, but will save you money. This is all about conserving electricity for the right reasons", said David O'Brien, President and CEO of Toronto Hydro Corporation.
Mayor launches appeal to save birds - Spring 2006
Mayor David Miller launches "Lights Out Toronto", a public awareness campaign to help save the lives of birds.
Mayor Miller with Qetesh a peregrine falcon
Qetesh at 21 years old is retired from the captive breeding program. She now does the public relations rounds in schools and events like Lights Out Toronto with her trainer from the Canadian Peregrine Foundation. Brought back from the brink of extinction, the off-spring of 65 breeding pairs of falcons will help the recovery of the species. Although falcons do nest in tall buildings, they too fly into windows as they prey on smaller birds.
More on Lights Out Toronto campaign
Attracted and confused by night-time city lights, migrating birds often crash into high-rise buildings. This global problem is a major cause of overall population decline for many bird species. The City of Toronto, along with wildlife groups, businesses and public sector agencies, asks everyone to turn out unneeded lighting in high-rise buildings, particularly during spring and fall migration.
"I'm pleased to be here on behalf of the City to promote "Lights Out Toronto" with our partner organizations," Mayor Miller said. "City staff are busy putting forward recommendations that will make our city more bird friendly through such initiatives as green building standards for new developments."
The City's "Lights Out Toronto" partners to date include the Fatal Light Awareness Program (FLAP); Toronto Hydro Corporation; Canadian Wildlife Service, Environment Canada; Building Owners and Managers Association of the Greater Toronto Area (BOMA); Cadillac Fairview; Toronto Wildlife Centre; Toronto and Region Conservation Authority; Toronto Zoo; The Toronto Ornithological Club; Earth Rangers; Humane Society International; the Toronto Bird Observatory and Toronto Field Naturalists.
David O'Brien, president and CEO of Toronto Hydro Corporation, is a keen supporter of the "Lights Out Toronto" campaign. "We're setting the tone with our customers for responsible use of electricity. This initiative will allow millions of migratory birds safe passage to their summer habitat in the spring and wintering grounds in the fall. We encourage all our customers to shut their lights off at night to save birds, electricity and money - all at the same time."
FLAP is thrilled that Toronto is the first city in the world to make bird protection official policy", says Michael Mesure, Executive Director. "We are hopeful that other cities in North America and around the world will follow Toronto's leadership."
In addition to turning out lights, the public can help save birds in other ways. FLAP needs volunteers, for a few hours each week, to assist in bird rescue at night, or to drive birds to a rehabilitation centre during the day. Anyone interested should call 416-366-FLAP (3527).
Media contacts: Don Wanagas, Director of Communications, Mayor's Office, 416-338-7134
Richard Bishop, Communications Coordinator, City Planning Division, 416-392-7597 or 416-420-4336 (cell)
Download awareness campaign items below including a brochure, posters and fridge magnet. If you want more information, please contact:
Kelly Snow: ksnow@toronto.ca
Environmental Policy Planner
City Planning Division
|
|
|
