In 2025, the Light Pollution and Night Skies Committee of the New Jersey Chapter of the Sierra Club expanded its work to reduce light pollution and protect the state’s remaining night skies. Through legislative advocacy, municipal outreach, and public education, the committee advanced recognition of artificial light at night as a serious environmental, wildlife, public health, and climate issue.
Working closely with DarkSky New Jersey and partners including Sustainable Jersey, the Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions, and the Native Plant Society of New Jersey, the committee helped elevate night-sky protection within broader environmental policy conversations.
Committee members Kathleen Foley, Laura Bagwell, Arlene Tkatch, John Kashwick, and Jonathan Wall led and supported outreach efforts throughout the year. Much of the committee’s tabling and public engagement was carried out by Steve Mariconda, who also serves as chair of DarkSky New Jersey. His work at conferences, festivals, and professional forums significantly broadened the reach of night-sky protection efforts across the state.
Legislative Advocacy
A major focus in 2025 was advancing S1610 and A2196, legislation establishing environmental and energy-efficiency standards for outdoor lighting used in state-funded projects. The bill would require shielding, reasonable lumen limits, and restrictions on high-color-temperature lighting that contributes to glare, skyglow, and ecological harm.
The bill was formally supported by the Legislative Committee of the Sierra Club’s New Jersey Chapter. Committee members worked closely with Sen. Andrew Zwicker’s and Assemblywoman Drulis’s offices throughout the process.
A2196 passed unanimously in the Assembly Environment, Natural Resources, and Solid Waste Committee and the full Assembly. Its Senate companion passed unanimously in the Senate Environment and Energy Committee. Objections from the NJ Department of Transportation—primarily related to color-temperature standards—prevented the bill from being posted for a final Senate vote in 2025.
Although final passage was not achieved, the legislation laid important groundwork for future statewide lighting standards.
Public Education and Outreach
In 2025, the Light Pollution and Night Skies Committee reached thousands of residents, municipal officials, students, and professionals through presentations, tabling events, and cultural partnerships.
One of the year’s most visible efforts was a collaboration with the New Jersey Symphony during performances of The Planets at the State Theatre in New Brunswick and New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark. Organized by committee member Kathleen Foley, the outreach connected astronomy, music, and night-sky protection for audiences not typically reached through environmental programming.
Other outreach included Earth Day festivals, library and environmental commission presentations, participation in the Northeast Astronomy Forum, and engagement with artists and writers through gallery events and book discussions. Committee members also participated in professional forums such as the Illuminating Engineering Society Conference and DarkSky International’s Under One Sky Conference.
Helping Municipalities Act
The committee worked with DarkSky New Jersey and the Native Plant Society of New Jersey to develop a Model Municipal Outdoor Lighting Ordinance tailored to New Jersey communities. The ordinance provides practical guidance on shielding, color temperature, lumen limits, and lighting controls.
Several municipalities, including Saddle Brook and Raritan Township, either adopted new lighting ordinances or advanced reforms in 2025.
The committee also participated in the New Jersey League of Municipalities Conference, where members engaged directly with local officials on how lighting reform can improve safety, reduce costs, and protect wildlife.
Looking Ahead
In 2026, the committee plans to support reintroduction of statewide lighting legislation, expand technical assistance to municipalities, increase outreach in professional and cultural venues, strengthen partnerships across the Sierra Club, and integrate night-sky protection into environmental justice and climate resilience work.
Protecting New Jersey’s night skies is about more than seeing the stars. It is about conserving energy, protecting wildlife, improving public health, and preserving a shared natural heritage. In 2025, the Light Pollution and Night Skies Committee took meaningful steps toward that goal—and looks forward to building on that momentum in the year ahead.