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

  • Arani Launches “Charge for Change” Program to Donate EV Chargers to Community Organizations Across Canada

    Arani Launches “Charge for Change” Program to Donate EV Chargers to Community Organizations Across Canada

    Arani, a Canadian manufacturer and distributor of electrical and lighting products, has officially launched Charge for Change, a national program donating up to 10 Level 2 commercial EV chargers to non-profit and public institutions across Canada. Unveiled at MCEE Expo in Montreal, the initiative supports schools, libraries, municipal buildings, and other community-serving sites in making… Read More…

  • Acuity Acquires M3 Innovation, an Innovative Sports Lighting Startup

    Acuity Acquires M3 Innovation, an Innovative Sports Lighting Startup

    Acuity has announced its acquisition of the business assets of M3 Innovation, LLC (“M3 Innovation”), a sports lighting startup that uses innovative technology to lower the overall cost of the installation and operation of sports lighting solutions. The acquisition has already closed, and the solution is now part of the Acuity Brands Lighting (“ABL”) business portfolio. M3 Innovation’s products and innovative technology will be available through their independent sales network as part of… Read More…


Design

  • T5 vs. T8 Lights – What’s the Difference?

    T5 vs. T8 Lights – What’s the Difference?

    T5 and T8 lights are two popular options when it comes to creating the right ambiance and lighting in a house, business, or commercial setting. But were you confused about these two light tubes when talking with suppliers? Don’t worry! In this article let’s discuss T5 vs. T8 tubes thoughtfully, so that you can make the right… Read More…

  • Garage Lighting Ideas: Illuminate Your Space

    Garage Lighting Ideas: Illuminate Your Space

    The significance of a well-lit garage cannot be overstated. It’s where you see clearly what’s in your toolbox, where you can comfortably assess your handy work and can always find what you’re looking for. The right lighting can inspire you to take on projects you might have postponed due to poor visibility. Proper lighting is… Read More…


New Products

  • Eralux: LAGO – Architectural Wall Sconce

    Eralux: LAGO – Architectural Wall Sconce

    Eralux is excited to release their newest innovation — the LAGO wall pack. This sleek and modern fixture defines new possibilities for architects and designers, offering a bold blend of form and function. Designed with versatility in mind, LAGO delivers exceptional lighting performance while maintaining a clean, architectural aesthetic. Whether used to highlight building facades or… Read More…

  • Magic Lite: FL-01 12V Mini Flood Light

    Magic Lite: FL-01 12V Mini Flood Light

    Whether you’re lighting up a wall or a cluster of trees, the compact yet powerful FL-01 12V Mini Flood light, with a customizable wattage between 1 and 5 watts, provides a luminous output of 80-400 lumens. The 12V Mini Flood light’s wide beam angle and adjustable wattage make it a top choice for general-purpose lighting,… Read More…