New Bird Species Flock to Javits Center’s Green Roof
Sourced from Trade Show News Network
Two new wild bird species were recently identified at the Javits Center’s nearly seven-acre green roof, which has evolved into a unique wildlife sanctuary since its genesis in 2014. The new birds, discovered this spring by New York City Audubon Society, Killdeer and Ovenbird, now join 35 other local and migratory bird species, five bat species and thousands of insects, including 300,000 honeybees that regularly visit or inhabit the rooftop sanctuary on Manhattan’s West Side.
Led by the New York Convention Center Development Corporation (NYCCDC), the construction of the 6.75-acre green roof, the largest of its kind in New York State, was part of a major five-year renovation of the convention center that included adding 1.2 million square feet of event space, installing more than 6,000 bird-safe glass panels and more than 100 energy-efficient HVAC units.
Thanks to the venue’s sustainable upgrades, bird collisions have been reduced by more than 90 percent, and the rooftop has transformed into a flourishing habitat for area wildlife, according to Javits Center officials.
“Our green roof is living proof of the power of sustainability,” said Alan Steel, CEO of the New York Convention Center Operating Corporation, which operates the Javits Center. “Thanks to our ongoing partnership with NYC Audubon, we have been able to understand how simple, smart changes to our infrastructure can have a positive impact on the urban environment, and these new bird species certainly exemplify that impact.”
Comprised of sedum, a low-lying rock plant that has served as a suitable habitat for birds to nest and forage, the green roof and its environmental impact have been studied by members of NYC Audubon since 2014 via observation visits, sample collections and the banding of baby chicks with U.S. Geological Survey bands designed to track their movements throughout the country.
From the Living Architecture Monitor
