DLC Webinar to Focus on Promoting Responsible Nighttime Lighting that Safeguards Wildlife and Natural Ecosystems

LDS 7 CS DLC 400

February 23, 2022

The unintended impact of nighttime lighting on the nocturnal environment of myriad ecosystems and wildlife species is the topic of a free March 3 webinar hosted by the DesignLights Consortium (DLC). The webinar is timed with the annual spring migration of bird species across North America, a phenomenon that often occurs during the night. Speakers representing the National Park Service and BirdCast, a consortium run out of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, will share their expertise, experience and mitigation strategies.

“Done properly, artificial lighting at night benefits human communities in many ways, from illuminating work sites to enabling nighttime recreation and gatherings. The complications come when light at night is used in excess, resulting in disruptions to wildlife and ecosystems that can have lasting implications on animal populations and, ultimately, biodiversity in general,” DLC Executive Director and CEO Christina Halfpenny said. “This webinar will introduce participants to the environmental impacts of light at night and provide a look at some initiatives that are tackling this challenge.”

“Responsible Lighting at Night: The Impacts of Light on Wildlife & Ecosystems” will cover the current state of scientific knowledge and standards that enable design solutions that minimize harm to wildlife and the environment. Highlights will include discussion of the National Park Service’s (NPS) Natural Sounds and Night Skies activities and initiatives for protecting the environment from the negative impacts of light at night, and programs such as Lights Out! and BirdCast, which are working to safeguard migrating birds from building collisions associated with overlighting.

Moderated by DLC Director of Market Strategy & Development Dorene Maniccia, the webinar includes three panelists:

  • Julia Wang, BirdCast Project Leader, who is developing and coordinating Lights Out! campaigns with conservation partners and local stakeholders to facilitate widespread public and government adoption of conservation practices. These campaigns integrate BirdCast research to better identify nights on which migratory birds are most at risk from the harmful effects of artificial light, and to quantify the effect of intervention.
  • Jeremy White, NPS Night Skies Program Physical Science Technician, whose work involves measuring light pollution levels and researching the effects of light pollution within US national parks. The NPS Natural Sounds and Night Skies Program identifies source-specific impacts and engineered solutions to reduce, mitigate, or prevent anthropogenic noise and excessive light in and around parks and national trails.
  • Leora Radetsky, DLC Senior Lighting Scientist and one of the main authors of the DLC LUNA technical requirements, will discuss how non-white light is specified by various regulatory and voluntary organizations, and the challenges that are posed to these stakeholders and their end-users by the lack of standardization and consistency around non-white light sources. Non-white light, and specifically yellow-orange or amber light sources, are often posed as a solution for environmentally sensitive areas and for astronomical sky glow.

The second in a series of DLC webinars focusing on responsible light at night, next week’s event follows the DLC’s release of the LUNA technical requirements, which specify performance criteria for energy efficient commercial and industrial lighting products that also have light pollution mitigating features. The new technical requirements support the five principles for good outdoor lighting recommended by the International Dark Sky Association and the Illuminating Engineering Society

“Responsible Lighting at Night: The Impacts of Light on Wildlife & Ecosystems” takes place from 3 – 4 p.m. (EST) on Thursday, March 3.

Go HERE to register 

Related Articles


Changing Scene

  • LEDVANCE Expands Ontario Presence with New Specification Agent

    LEDVANCE Expands Ontario Presence with New Specification Agent

    LEDVANCE is pleased to announce the appointment of Sterling Architectural Products Ltd. (Sterling Lights) as their new specification agent in Ontario. This partnership strengthens LEDVANCE’s presence in the region and reinforces their commitment to serving the professional lighting design and specification community with innovative, reliable lighting solutions. With decades of experience and a service-driven mindset,… Read More…

  • May 29, 2025 - Eureka Wins Three 2025 Red Dot Awards for Product Design

    Eureka Wins Three 2025 Red Dot Awards for Product Design

    Eureka is pleased to announce that its Velia, Cirra, and Junction luminaires have each received a 2025 Red Dot Design Award for Product Design. It is the 11th consecutive year that Eureka products have been honored with this prestigious award, which is a testament to the company’s consistency and relentless drive to design exceptional luminaires.… Read More…


Design

  • The Difference Between Accent, Ambient & Task Lighting: Ultimate Guide

    The Difference Between Accent, Ambient & Task Lighting: Ultimate Guide

    In interior design, lighting is not just about brightening the room. Sensitive lighting layout is the key in the whole aesthetic atmosphere. An outstanding lighting solution will not rely on one type of fixture. Rather, it is through the combination of different types of lighting. Accent, ambient, and task lighting are three basic types of… Read More…

  • Graphic Office Interiors Enhance Their Office Space, Incorporating State-Of-The-Art Lighting Solutions

    Graphic Office Interiors Enhance Their Office Space, Incorporating State-Of-The-Art Lighting Solutions

    Graphic Office Interiors, a renowned office design and furnishings company serving Vancouver Island since 1966, embarked on a unique lighting project for their personal office in Saanichton, BC. This project marked the first collaboration between Kelly Inglis of Mac’s II Agencies and Graphic Office Interiors’ in-house registered interior designer, Laura Harlos. Known for their exclusive Steelcase furniture line, modular moveable… Read More…


New Products

  • Amico: SOLAR ECLIPSE – 2X4 Multi-Functional Luminaire

    Amico: SOLAR ECLIPSE – 2X4 Multi-Functional Luminaire

    The Solar Eclipse Series provides a multi-functional luminaire that supports the demands of the hospital environment. The sleek and modern design merges architectural aesthetics with exceptional lighting performance to improve patient comfort while maximizing clinical efficiencies. This architectural patient room fixture offers reading, ambient, and exam functionalities and an optional night light. Multi-functional capabilities provide… Read More…

  • Signify: Unleash Colors from Your TV Screen with New WiZ HDMI Sync Box

    Signify: Unleash Colors from Your TV Screen with New WiZ HDMI Sync Box

    Signify has announced the release of new TV sync features and products for its smart lighting brand WiZ, enabling users to effortlessly immerse themselves in a world of dynamic colors and moods. With the new WiZ HDMI Sync Box with TV backlight, users now have an easy and affordable way to sync lights to their… Read More…