A Window to Their World

New windows and a mural on the window-wall of the MK Nature Center auditorium were funded by individual donors in 2020 and completed in the spring of 2022. The staff at the MK Nature Center led this project.

The new windows are more energy efficient, providing more stable and comfortable temperatures in the auditorium all year round. The windows allow visitors to look out to an area where native birds congregate around several feeders, bushy shelters, and a small creek. This viewing area is one of the most beloved and captivating parts of the MK Nature Center, offering visitors an up-close look at the birds’ markings, feeding habits, social interactions, and protection/survival strategies.

To significantly reduce bird collisions with our new windows, Feather Friendly window “markers” were added to the glass. Information about these markers and other ways to prevent bird-window collisions in their homes and businesses is now available for our visitors.

A mural spanning the entire length of the wall was designed and painted by a local artist, Mr. Rick Friesen. This mural encourages our visitors to take written field notes on the birds that they see. Field journaling like this encourages us to identify species and explore details that may otherwise be overlooked, often leading to a deeper interest in and passion for the broader natural world.