SierraScape Spring 2021
Back to Table of Contents

BY STEPHANIE TODD
Sierra Club Member

As part of Lights Out Heartland, Missouri Sierra Club is advocating for people/businesses to turn off exterior lights during the month of May and September, the peak migration times for songbirds. Every year billions of birds migrate during spring and fall, and the majority migrate at night, using the moon and stars to navigate. St. Louis sits on the Mississippi Flyway, one of the largest migratory pathways for birds in the world, which is used by 60% of North American songbirds and over 325 bird species during migration. Bright artificial lights can cause birds to become disoriented and die either by exhaustion or collisions. St. Louis is ranked by Cornell Lab of Ornithology scientists as the 5th most dangerous city to birds during spring migration and the 6th most dangerous city during the fall migration.

Overall, light pollution has serious environmental consequences for humans, wildlife and our climate. But, it can be easily eliminated by using light only where it is needed, using motion sensors, or shielding lights so they do not shine up into the sky. We understand that safety is an issue, but poorly designed outdoor lighting has been shown to increase crime. Bright or poorly aimed lights can hide danger by creating deep shadows where criminals can hide. A study by the city of Chicago found a correlation between increased crime and brightly lit alleyways. The bright lights attracted criminals because they could hide in the shadows and then it allowed them to see what they were doing when conditions were right. To learn more about light pollution go to www.darkskymissouri.org.

HOW YOU CAN HELP
Please turn off your exterior lights or place them on motion detectors to help save birds! Learn more at www.lightsoutheartland.org.