{"id":19033,"date":"2024-12-06T14:36:00","date_gmt":"2024-12-06T20:36:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.arch.tamu.edu\/?p=19033"},"modified":"2025-02-12T12:48:36","modified_gmt":"2025-02-12T18:48:36","slug":"for-the-birds-students-create-habitats-for-texas-am-bird-population-using-recycled-materials","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.arch.tamu.edu\/news\/2024\/12\/06\/for-the-birds-students-create-habitats-for-texas-am-bird-population-using-recycled-materials\/","title":{"rendered":"For the birds: Students create habitats for Texas A&M bird population using recycled materials"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A vibrant bird habitat and outdoor classroom was created on the lower-level terrace of the Langford Architecture Center, starting with a simple idea from students during a landscape architecture class led by lecturer Dingding Ren<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat if we built them a sanctuary?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Day in and day out, Ren\u2019s students observed a family of house finches nesting on the ledges of the brutalist concrete Langford A building. Texas A&M is home to thousands of wildlife, primarily birds, that inhabit the trees, roofs, and often the buildings themselves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ren recognized an opportunity to create a space that would benefit both the birds and students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Many students had expressed concerns about the lack of suitable outdoor spaces to study or relax,” Ren explained. \u201cBirdwatching is a great way to unwind, especially in a high-stress environment like design college.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"IMG<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Project<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ren had access to old wood materials used during the COVID-19 pandemic for an outdoor installation. After disassembling the wooden easels, the class was left with 552 pieces of timber and 1,128 screws. With just these materials at their disposal, Ren assembled 11 volunteers to help bring the sanctuary to life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The design process was collaborative and organic. “It started with discussions and on-site sketches,” Ren recalled. “Every design was original, unique to the space, and not based on any external references.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ren saw the project as a chance to create an interactive, outdoor learning lab. \u201cIt was a passion-driven initiative,” he said. “The project was entirely voluntary, requiring students to commit their weekends from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. over the course of a month.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The entire project was completed on a $0 budget, using only repurposed materials and the labor of dedicated students. Some even contributed wildflowers from their own backyards to help replant at the sanctuary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A few faculty members pitched in as well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThomas M. Woodfin<\/a> donated sunflower seeds he harvested from his backyard to help diversify the backdrop for the wildflowers,\u201d said Ren.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Students who volunteered for the bird installation say they are pleased with the result.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt is incredibly rewarding to see your craftsmanship used as it was meant to be, no matter how simple,\u201d said Lauren Kasel, a landscape architecture student.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Having spent four years as a student in Langford A, Kasel added, \u201cI rarely saw anyone in \u2018the pit,\u2019 so I was excited to breathe new life into it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There’s a certain pride in transforming something old into something new according to Kasel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a beautiful art piece for everyone to enjoy,\u201d Kasel said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"20230501<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Campus Bird Map<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

After completing their work on the bird habitat, the group hosted an event to showcase their accomplishments to fellow students and staff. The event featured organized games, prizes, and a detailed map highlighting 18 of the 177 bird species found throughout the Texas A&M University campus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The bird map includes information on nest locations, diets, habitats, and incubation for the following native species:<\/p>\n\n\n\n