Lights Out, Fort Worth!

Lights Out, Fort Worth!

Published on October 15, 2024

The Lights Out initiative is an educational campaign of awareness focused on the protection of migratory birds by turning off lights at night. Each year, hundreds of millions of birds migrate through our great state of Texas and are subject to light pollution.

How you can help: All Texans are encouraged to turn off nonessential lights, both business and residential, at night from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. during their fall migration, Aug 15-Nov. 30, especially during the Peak Migration period, Oct. 14-Nov. 17.

Migration periods

• Fall migration: Aug. 15-Nov. 30
• Critical peak migration: Oct. 14-Nov. 17

Why is it important? The goal is to protect billions of birds as they migrate across the United States - one of the largest migrations on the planet and one that occurs primarily at night. Lights from buildings, especially in urban areas, attract and disorient migrating birds, confusing and exhausting them and making them vulnerable to collisions with buildings. The simple action of turning off lights dramatically reduces hazards and disorientation by light, allowing birds to safely proceed with their migratory journeys.

The City of Fort Worth is committed to protecting birds and to saving energy as well. Participating in this initiative is a great way do to both. Residents and businesses, not just downtown, can reduce light pollution at night for a few hours to support this effort.

Learn more about bird migration: These actions are taken to support the Lights Out initiative, headed by the National Audubon Society and Texan by Nature. Learn more from the National Audubon Society website.

Bird-lovers can also monitor how many migrants will be traveling through the area using the BirdCast website.

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Tagged as:

• Environment