News

DNR wants bird-friendly stadium

Photo:

Dec 11, 2012 at 5:35 pm

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (KNSI) The Minnesota Vikings may hope their new stadium is a hostile environment for the Philadelphia Eagles and Arizona Cardinals, but the Department of Natural Resources hopes it will be friendly to real birds.

The DNR has urged planners to consider "bird-friendly designs" to reduce the potential for fatal collisions with birds. The agency's comments were included in a 75-page document released Tuesday that's part of the environmental review process.

Melissa Doperalski, regional environmental assessment ecologist for the DNR, says numerous birds die each year after flying into building glass. The Mississippi River is a major migratory corridor. So, she says, if the stadium has prominent glass features designers should consider other elements that provide visual cues to prevent birds from crashing into the glass.