By Lynette Cox
Bernheim Forest and Arboretum has signed the pledge for Lights Out Louisville, supporting the initiative to reduce lighting at night during spring and fall bird migration. Sponsored by the Louisville Audubon Society, the initiative asks residents, businesses, organizations, and commercial building owners/operators and tenants to help make migration safer for birds.
“Each year, in the U.S. alone, between 1 billion and 5 billion birds die following collisions with artificially lit buildings and windows,” said Mary Beth Nevulis, Louisville Audubon Society President and Lights Out Louisville program chair. “Lights Out Louisville—Kentucky’s solution to a national problem—partners with businesses and organizations such as Bernheim to collectively make a bigger impact on the issue of light pollution and protect migrating birds from these deadly collisions.”
“Bernheim is happy to sign the pledge to support Lights Out Louisville and the millions of birds that migrate through our area annually. Lights Out actions fit perfectly into our comprehensive Climate Action Plan,” stated Mark Wourms, President and CEO at Bernheim Forest and Arboretum.
By taking simple actions, residents, businesses and organizations can help prevent some of the 1 billion fatalities that occur every year when birds collide with artificially lit buildings and man-made structures.
“Bernheim continues to protect and manage habitats for birds and works with local, national and global bird communities on research, education, and outreach around these incredible animals,” added Andrew Berry, Bernheim’s Director of Conservation. “Reducing light pollution is one of the simplest ways to support migratory birds, bats, and other wildlife.”
The Lights Out Louisville program is open to all residents of Kentucky and Indiana. Residents can join at no cost by filling out a short digital “pledge” that simply states they’ll do what they can to reduce light pollution at home.
Simple Ways to Reduce Light Pollution and Help Birds
Below are a few actions businesses, organizations, and homeowners can take from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. in April and May and in September and October:
- Turn off lights when not in use
- Close your blinds or curtains after dark
- Turn off decorative outdoor lighting, or limit it to ground use
- Use motion sensors or timers where possible, so areas are lit only as needed
- Add “down-shields” to spotlights and other exterior lighting or limit exterior lighting to ground level
- Choose warmer-toned bulbs (2700 Kelvin or lower) for outdoor lighting
- Provide task/area lighting for anyone working after dark to reduce the need for overhead lighting
- Dim or reduce lobby or atrium lighting when/where possible, especially after business hours.
“It’s not about doing it all—it’s about doing whatever you can. Every action adds up, and everything makes a difference for conservation, and for birds. Together, we can address the solvable problem of light pollution,” added Nevulis.
Join Us for Light Pollution Solutions on August 8
Join NASA/JPL Solar System Ambassador Dan Price and Lights Out Louisville Program Lead Mary Beth Nevulis at Bernheim on August 8 for Light Pollution: Connections & Solutions. In this special program, you’ll explore light pollution and its impact on humanity, birds, and everything else. You’ll also enjoy a laser-guided exploration of the night sky, complemented by telescopic observations and insights from our dedicated Volunteer Naturalists. Learn more and register.
Representatives from the Louisville Audubon Society will also be joining us at CONNECT, our annual after-hours celebration of art, music, and nature on August 15.
Find a complete list of upcoming nature-based education programs at bernheim.org/events.
Additional Resources
- The Dark Side of Light by Mary Beth Nevulis, lightsoutlouisville.com
- Lights Out Louisville Pledge for Businesses and Organizations
- Lights Out Louisville Pledge for Residents and Homeowners
- Learn about our research on the Birds of Bernheim webpage
- Read more on how to Make Your Yard a Sanctuary for Birds, bernheim.org
About the Louisville Audubon Society
The Louisville Audubon Society is the regional chapter of the National Audubon Society. The nonprofit organization works to conserve and restore natural ecosystems, focusing on birds as well as other wildlife and their habitats, for the benefit of humanity and the Earth’s biological diversity. The Lights Out Louisville program is part of a national effort led by the Audubon Society to make migration safer for birds.
