LOUISVILLE, KY. — Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg is partnering with a local organization to reduce light pollution in the city — and save birds.
Louisville Parks and Recreation announced in a news release Thursday afternoon Greenberg's partnership with Lights Out Louisville, a conservation program sponsored by the Louisville Audubon Society.
Along with a focus sustainability and energy conversation goals, the program works to help protect migratory birds from artificial light at night, or ALAN.
ALAN attracts and disorients birds, which can lead to fatal collisions with buildings and windows. According to the release, as many as five billion birds across the U.S. die each year from these crashes.
Through its partnership with Lights Out Louisville, Louisville Metro Government is working to reduce light pollution across parks, city buildings and library branches.
Louisville Parks and Recreation is helping by using national lighting standards in new projects, finding ways to upgrade existing lighting and training staff to cut back on excess light during migration seasons, like turning off non-essential lights.
Lights Out Louisville provided the following tips for supporting their initiative:
- Reduce unnecessary lighting: From 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. during peak migration months — April and May in the spring, and September and October in the fall — turn off non-essential indoor and outdoor lighting and close blinds, shades, or curtains to prevent light from spilling outside
- Make simple lighting swaps: Use motion sensors for outdoor lighting, switch to warm-colored LED bulbs (lower than 2700 Kelvin), and ensure outdoor lights are directed downward or properly shielded
- Take the Lights Out pledge: Residents and businesses can complete a quick, no-cost form to commit to doing what they can to reduce unnecessary lighting during migration seasons
"Louisville is committed to being a city that values both sustainability and environmental stewardship," Greenberg said in the release. "Participating in this important initiative will help reduce energy use and greenhouse gas emissions, lower costs, protect our environment and support the health of our residents."
Click here to learn more about Lights Out Louisville.
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