Rockland Audubon Society and the Sierra Club Atlantic Chapter today announced that the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge aesthetic lights are being dimmed during the spring and fall bird migration seasons in partnership with the New York State Thruway Authority.

Each fall and spring, millions of birds migrate at night, navigating by the moon and stars. Bright artificial lights can disorient them, increasing the risk of straying off course. By once again dimming the bridge’s aesthetic lights during peak migration, the Thruway Authority is among a growing number of municipalities and building owners across the region participating in “Lights Out” programs to protect birds. Peak bird migration typically occurs from April 1 through May 31 and August 15 to November 15.

“We applaud the Thruway Authority for dimming the lights on the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge during fall and spring migration. This step helps prevent birds from becoming disoriented at night and shows how thoughtful lighting can make a real difference. Like many buildings across the region, the bridge now stands as a visible reminder that safety, sustainability, and conservation can go hand in hand.” 
– Christine Toth, Conservation Chair, Rockland Audubon Society

“The Sierra Club Lower Hudson Group thanks the NY Thruway Authority for their leadership in dimming the decorative lights on the Gov. Mario M. Cuomo Bridge during bird migration season. We hope this initiative inspires similar measures wherever decorative, non-safety lighting may affect wildlife.” 
– Peggy Kurtz, Leader, Rockland Sierra Club; Executive Committee Member, Lower Hudson Group of Sierra Club

“The Thruway Authority is proud to partner with Rockland Audubon Society and regional conservation organizations to protect migratory birds utilizing the Atlantic Flyway. The Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge has been lit in color since 2020 and during this time, we’ve adjusted our lighting practices in the past to meet the needs of the community. This year, in the spirit of cooperation, we decided to further dim the bridge’s aesthetic lights from 11 p.m. to dawn during peak migration periods as part of our commitment to environmental stewardship while ensuring this iconic landmark continues to serve the community safely and responsibly.” 
– Frank G. Hoare, 
Executive Director, New York State Thruway Authority

The light-dimming initiative reflects the power of partnerships between conservation organizations and government agencies. Rockland Audubon Society, the Sierra Club Atlantic Chapter, and their partners hope this effort will inspire additional “Lights Out” commitments across New York and beyond, safeguarding migratory birds while strengthening community awareness about the importance of protecting wildlife.

Quotes from Partner Organizations

Riverkeeper: “We applaud the Thruway Authority for dimming the lights on the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge during spring and fall migration, a welcome change that will benefit both migrating birds and migrating fishes. Artificial lighting from bridges surrounding waterways are known to create barriers for migrating fish species, alter their behavior, and increase the risk of predation. Riverkeeper is proud to be part of this collaborative effort that will help protect the wildlife critical to this place we all call home.” 
– Matthew Best, Habitat Restoration Manager

Scenic Hudson: “The Cuomo Bridge dimming is a straightforward step based in current conservation science that will yield meaningful benefits for birds and other migrating species that rely on dark night skies to navigate. We are grateful to the Thruway Authority for working with conservation partners to achieve this result, and hope that it will serve as an example for future efforts.” 
– Johnathan Clark, Esq., Advocacy Attorney

Sustainable Hudson Valley: “There is so much we can do to reduce the environmental impact of our lifestyles just through intelligent use of technology — which should be our hallmark as a species! This is an excellent step, and a model.” 
– Melissa Everett, Executive Director

Rockland Astronomy Club: “We welcome this step by the Thruway Authority and are proud to join with conservation partners in protecting migratory birds along the Hudson River. This is a fine example of one of the many ways in which darker skies can benefit both wildlife and human health, while simultaneously preserving the splendors of the night sky, an important part of our heritage.” 
– Keith Murdock, Member, Board of Directors

Friends of Rockland Lake & Hook Mountain: “Kudos to the Rockland Audubon Society and Sierra Club Atlantic Chapter for leading this partnership and to the Thruway Authority for recognizing the importance of the bridge light-dimming. This is a win for wildlife protection and demonstrates how local action and collaboration can make a big difference. ” 
– David Neil, Board Chair