Bird Conservation Measures Included in Environment Omaha Plan

Several notable provisions to promote bird conservation are included in a "new environmental vision" plan recently released by Environment Omaha for the River City.

Particularly notable are the following items included in the Natural Environment section. One particular section pertinent to bird-strikes, is included here in its entirety, is:

"5. Minimize the impact of noise, lights, hazards, and other disturbances on wildlife in the design of infrastructure and development.

"5.1 Ensure that collaborative efforts are taken when evaluating the impact of building development and building operations on wildlife, particularly migrating birds, because of Omaha's location being directly within migratory routes of many species.

"* Guidelines for building design and management/operation should be developed and promoted to reduce mortality and injury to birds from bird-building collisions.

"* Initiate a 'Lights Out' campaign to encourage building owners and managers to minimize lighting at night, particularly during bird migration seasons."

The impact of domestic and feral dogs and cats is also addressed.

An item states: "Support feral cat management and protection strategies that are designed to protect native bird species." This item is in a section about managing "human and wildlife interaction to improve biodiversity and native species... ." and also says: "Support education and regulation toward reducing the harm that unrestricted movement of pets has on native songbirds and small animals." Included in this section is the need to provide information useful for the "management and protection" of mammals and birds, and to work with merchants in the metro area to encourage "proper bird feeding and housing that will promote native bird species."

Habitat Conservation

There are several items listed to "preserve, protect, and restore natural communities" and the related "protect and preserve lands that are sensitive to disturbance or that provide unique ecological, cultural or aesthetic features." This includes particular recognition of springs, seeps and other water-based features which occur within the city.

Two notable examples would be the flowing springs at Spring Lake Park, and the springs in the east section of Elmwood Park which create Shadow Lake.

Also pertinent: "Establish land management and maintenance practices to restore and sustain natural communities, habitats, and ecosystem processes." Mentioned as being useful for this goal, includes conservation easements, adoption of "environmentally responsible strategies," and developing information and educational resources.

For the latter item, there is a particular mention of the need to establish a "natural habitat inventory" that would identify the flora and fauna of notable localities.

The document is the result of two year's of work by thousand's of volunteers, and was developed to provide an environmental element for the master plan for the city of Omaha. There were 23 members on the Natural Environment advisory committee.

The draft plan was unanimously endorsed October 6th, by the Omaha Planning Board. It is expected to be considered by the Omaha City Council in early December. If approved, it will then become a part of Omaha's Master Plan.

Once the document review process is finalized, and if approved, various entities such as the City of Omaha, the Papio-Missouri Natural Resources District, Omaha by Design and other public/private entities or groups would be expected to implement the recommendations appropriate to their interests.

Efforts on implementation of the proposed goals are still being sorted out, according to Mike McMeekin, a co-chair of the initiative.

The entire document is available for review at the Environment Omaha website, which also provides an opportunity to submit comments.

Bird-Friendly Features to be Included in Leytham Community Development

By James Ed. Ducey

A pending "New Urbanism" housing development in northwest Omaha will be built with birds given specific consideration in the planning process.

"Although Leytham was not originally designed with birds in mind, the design and architectural principles by which new traditional neighborhoods are designed, generally create wonderful habitat for birds," said Herb Freeman, owner of the property and developer of the new community.

Diagram of green space planned for Leytham. Courtesy of Herb Freeman.

"Leytham, I believe, will be a much more friendly environment than the former soybean field on which it will be created because there will be a wide variety of bird friendly natural habitats and the design principles for the built environment are also bird friendly," Freeman said.

Birds are an important part of any community, including Leytham, for several reasons, Freeman said: 1) their variety of species and (in some cases) the musicality of their songs are enjoyable; 2) the colors of the various species and their look are also enjoyable; 3) they eat a lot of insects; and 4) are simply "plain fun" to watch.

Natural habitat present at Leytham includes an unnamed intermittent creek, which stretches a half mile long on the west side of the 160 acre parcel, a drainage with trees on the northeast section, and about 3.5 acres of wetlands which are located in the northeast part of the neighborhood.

“The wet lands will provide an environment for a wide variety of species of plants, animals of all sorts and of course that includes bird species that favor the wetlands for their habitat,” Freeman explained. “In addition to the benefits for plants and animals, the wetlands will become both a community amenity and a learning center for us humans.”

A wide variety of green spaces will be planted with a wide variety of bushes, flowers and shrubs of all sorts, Freeman said. There will be nearly 30 acres of green-space, nature habitat. A Diversity of street trees in a variety climate and area appropriate species will be planted along the thoroughfares and trails.

Freeman expects that landscaping and plant experts will advise native, tolerant, hearty species for these areas, as new urban design emphasizes eco-friendly, low impact landscaping and planting, he said.

"During project construction, the trees worthy of preservation in both the creek and wetlands will be preserved," Freeman said. "Additionally, many, many trees will be planted, and there will be a wide variety of species. Natural 'bushy, unkempt places' will exist along the creek and in the wet lands as well. Additionally, meadow and wild flower areas are planned for some of the green spaces."

Ponds and side pools are planned along the unnamed creek, subject to approval by the Corps of Engineers. These pools or ponds will also create another form of bird friendly habitat.

Sketch for expected community development at Leytham. Image courtesy of Herb Freeman.

Other bird-friendly habitats will include the built environment.

"Chimneys, minimized light pollution, and windows with many panes are part of the Leytham design to help attract and protect birdlife," Freeman said.

Guidelines for bird friendly building considerations were reviewed as part of construction planning for the community. Buildings will have a Colonial style of architecture.

"The architectural vision for Leytham will favor windows such as double hung windows that have small panes," Freeman said. "This seems to provide the 'visual markers' to help prevent birds from crashing into the windows. Additionally, Leytham will permit awnings, galleries and arcades that will overhang and shade windows, thus muting reflections" that can result in deadly window strikes.

The colonial architecture of Leytham greatly favors chimneys, that can be readily used as habitat for breeding Chimney Swifts. The main building in the community commons, which currently serves as the Freeman residence, has a few chimneys, the largest 18"x18" with smaller ones about 12"x18". Nearby in the commons, a planned fire tower will include four large fire places, each with a large chimney of a size expected to be of a sufficient size for use by the swifts. These may be useful as seasonal swift roosts.

The site plan calls for about 454 residential lots plus multifamily and "flex building" lots, according to Freeman. Accessory dwelling units over garages and the apartment flats over retail spaces and in "apartment mansions" could bring total dwelling units to well over 800, so a large number of fresh, new brick chimneys should be available as new habitat for swifts. "Apartment mansions" are buildings that look like large single family houses, but which actually contain four or more apartment units.

"The built improvements of Leytham, which will include a number of bird houses in various "architectural styles," will certainly be much more attractive and hospitable than the current monoculture of a soybean crop field," Freeman said.

People will be encouraged to know their birdian neighbors.

"There will be quite a few benches in the green spaces and civic places of Leytham," Freeman said. "I have even thought about some two person swings in the greenways where people could just swing and relax, and of course, watch the birds if that is their fancy."

Freeman has already been watching the local bird species, and keeps several bird books and binoculars close by to help with identification.

Just last weekend a “very, VERY large red tail hawk perched on the peak of the pediment of the building that will become the heart of the Commons. The raptor was estimated to be at least 16 inches tall. It seemed quite fearless perched about four stories above the ground and remained on its lofty peak for many minutes while Freeman studied it. Then it glided off to the north northwest, probably to hunt in the creek.

Leytham, located at the northeast corner of 168th and State streets, is named for Richard Leytham, who settled the land and started his farm. Construction is expected to start in late 2008.

Leytham website

New Urbanism