SUNY ESF Installs Murals to Stop Bird Collisions
The Syracuse campus is using recycled window film murals to protect native birds from hitting glass buildings.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Bird Watching
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SUNY ESF recently finalized the installation of five campus murals designed to prevent bird collisions with glass surfaces. Completed in September 2026, the project utilizes sustainable window film to protect local bird species.
Why it matters
The initiative addresses the estimated 1 billion bird deaths occurring annually in the United States due to window collisions. By adopting these visual markers, the university aims to significantly reduce avian fatalities on its grounds.
The five murals feature native New York bird species and utilize window film made from post-consumer recycled content. These installations are expected to last between 10 and 15 years.
The players
SUNY ESF
The State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry is a specialized institution focused on environmental study and research located in Syracuse.
The details
Student volunteers initially used paint pens to design the murals, but those eventually washed away during the 2025-26 school year. The Office of Communications and Marketing later applied durable window film to provide a permanent, sustainable solution that meets safety standards.
Timeline
The initial paint-based murals began washing off the glass during the 2025-26 school year.
The final window film murals were completed in September 2026.
The Bird Friendly Lunch n' Learn event takes place on October 30, 2026.
Culture Shift
This project aligns with the growing movement to integrate Bird Friendly Building design standards into modern infrastructure to mitigate urban ecological impacts. It reflects a wider societal shift toward prioritizing sustainability and wildlife protection in institutional campus planning.
Residents and students visiting the campus will now see permanent visual markers on glass surfaces, which serve as a model for DIY bird-safe practices at home. These modifications require no active maintenance by the public and provide long-term protection for local wildlife.
The takeaway
Implementing simple visual markers on reflective surfaces can drastically lower the risk of bird strikes at home. Property owners can adopt similar recycled film solutions to provide effective, long-lasting protection for migratory and resident birds.
What happens next
ESF hosts the Bird Friendly Lunch n' Learn event on October 30, 2026.
Further reading
Learn more about local efforts to protect avian populations by visiting the Bird Watching section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Daily Orange.
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Do you support the use of campus facilities for public art projects meant to prevent bird collisions?
