For Immediate Release: November 2, 2007

Contact: , Director of Public Relations, American Bird Conservancy, 202/234-7181 ext. 216

Leon Levy Foundation Donates $437,000 Grant to Support Major Bird Conservation Initiatives

Grant Will Reduce Mortality of Birds Killed in Collisions with Man-Made Structures

(Washington, D.C.) American Bird Conservancy announced today a new three-year, $437,000 grant from the New York-based Leon Levy Foundation. The grant will support a program aimed at reducing the mortality of migratory birds killed in collisions with window glass, tall buildings, and other man-made structures, and the publication of a new book, the Field Guide to Bird Conservation.

“Birds cannot see glass on their daily forays, and did not evolve to deal with the vast array of giant illuminated structures they must now confront during night-time migration,” said Dr. George H. Fenwick, President of American Bird Conservancy. “Fortunately there are solutions, and a great deal of interest in fixing this problem.”

Each year, an estimated 2.5 billion migratory birds are killed inadvertently in the U.S. due to human activities, and many of these die in collisions with window glass, communication towers, and increasingly, wind turbines. Concern over declines in birds coupled with the knowledge that much of this death toll can be averted with the use of appropriate technology, inspired American Bird Conservancy and the Levy Foundation to team up and address the problem.

Shelby White, founding trustee of the Leon Levy Foundation, said, “My interest in birds stretches back to my childhood days in Prospect Park in Brooklyn. Over the years, sadly, the population of so many species of birds has declined. Our hope is that this anti-collision program will save the lives of millions of birds. The Leon Levy Foundation is pleased to support the American Bird Conservancy in this important program and in the publication of the field guide that will serve as a one-stop, bird conservation resource for both the public and policymakers.”

“The recent explosion of interest in ‘green’ buildings provides a great opportunity to advance solutions that can protect migratory birds,” said Mike Parr, Vice President for American Bird Conservancy. “Keeping window lights off at night in large city buildings reduces bird mortality, cuts pollution and saves money.”

The Field Guide to Bird Conservation will summarize the complex issues in modern bird conservation for a popular audience. This new book will communicate the top priorities to the nation’s 46 million birdwatchers and show individuals what they can do to help.”

“Birds are an important indicator of overall environmental health and their conservation has multiple benefits,” added Fenwick. “American Bird Conservancy looks forward to working with a diverse array of groups to make things better for birds and for the environment as a whole through this Leon Levy Foundation grant.”

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American Bird Conservancy (ABC) is the only 501(c)(3) organization that works solely to conserve native wild birds and their habitats throughout the Americas. ABC acts to safeguard the rarest bird species, restore habitats, and reduce threats, while building capacity in the conservation movement. ABC is the voice for birds, ensuring that they are adequately protected; that sufficient funding is available for bird conservation; and that land is protected and properly managed to maintain viable habitat. ABC is a membership organization that is consistently awarded a top, four-star rating by the independent group, Charity Navigator.

The Leon Levy Foundation, founded in 2004, is a private, not-for-profit foundation created from the estate of Leon Levy, a legendary investor with a longstanding commitment to philanthropy. The Foundation’s overarching goal is to continue the tradition of humanism characteristic of Mr. Levy by supporting scholarship at the highest level, ultimately advancing knowledge and improving the lives of individuals and society at large.