Lights Out Wisconsin

A collaboration to save migratory birds, fireflies, and night skies in Wisconsin

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Light pollution is more than just a nuisance. It causes harm to wildlife and even affects human health. But we can reverse that!

Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance helped launch and helps coordinate a new program called Lights Out Wisconsin with partners across the state. Our collective goal is to reduce light pollution and promote healthy nights throughout Wisconsin.. We are made up of bird, insect, astronomy, and human health enthusiasts.

Why worry about light pollution?

  1. Approx. 80% of migratory BIRDS migrate in the middle of the night. Light pollution pulls them off track and brings them into lit communities where buildings and windows create huge hazards for birds. Over 1 billion birds die every year after hitting windows.

  2. FIREFLIES (aka lightning bugs) use their bioluminescent blinking to attract mates. Light pollution dilutes the darkness they rely on to find mates and reproduce.

  3. People who enjoy STARGAZING and observing phenomena like Northern Lights benefit from dark skies. Light pollution makes those natural shows difficult to see without driving for hours to dark areas.

  4. About 1/3 of ENERGY used at night is wasted due to light going places it’s not intended — out and up. Light pollution contributes to wasted money and wasted carbon that could be saved through better light fixtures, motion sensors, timers, and warmer color temperature lightbulbs.

  5. And so much more!

Photo by Joel Tonyan FCC

Lights Out Wisconsin unites communities to take action by minimizing nighttime light pollution when dark skies matter most for wildlife and people. Our coalition of partners advances this goal through outreach and advocacy promoting low-impact lighting including downward facing lights, timers, dimmers, 2200 Kelvin or lower color temperature lighting, and turning off non-essential lights when not in use.  

Visit the Lights Out Wisconsin website to:

  • Learn more about what you can do to reduce light pollution at home, in your communities, and neighborhoods.

  • Sign up for Lights Out Alerts to get notifications when turning off exterior lights is particularly important due to high bird migration, firefly blinking seasons, or northern lights displays.

  • Donate to the statewide-effort to reduce light pollution and protect the magic of nighttime!

Cover choto by Frostnip CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

Donate today!