My name is Anouk Hoedeman. In 2013, I co-founded Safe Wings Ottawa, a community science program to research window collisions in Canada’s capital, raise awareness of the causes, and encourage effective solutions to make buildings safer for birds. Through building monitoring, data collection, education, advocacy, bird rescue and rehabilitation, Safe Wings Ottawa continues to make significant contributions to bird-collision research, public knowledge, legislative change, safer buildings, and improved avian care.
Under my leadership, Safe Wings spearheaded the adoption of bird-safe design practices by, among others, the Government of Canada, National Capital Commission, City of Ottawa, University of Ottawa and Carleton University. My responsibilities included building monitoring, risk assessments, reviewing building plans, providing advice on retrofitting facilities of all sizes, developing communications strategies and materials, public speaking, media relations, rescuing and rehabilitating injured birds under permit, and more.
Now based in the Netherlands, I am applying my expertise to raise awareness of window collisions here, and to champion the implementation of bird-safe design and retrofit principles in institutional, commercial, and residential structures alike.
Recognition
My commitment to avian conservation has been recognized by the Ottawa Field-Naturalists’ Club, which twice honoured me with the Member of the Year Award. I am also a Paul Harris Fellow, a recipient of the Canada 150 Sesquicentennial Award, the Ottawa Distinguished Women Award, and the Ontario Field Ornithologists Certificate of Appreciation.