Bird Safe Harrisburg

Lights Out

Lights Out Harrisburg is an annual initiative during peak spring and fall migration, running April 1st -May 31st and August 15th - November 15th. Anyone can participate, including building owners, residents, and municipalities!

THe Issue

Most migratory birds travel at night, relying on specific sensory cues to navigate. These cues work by using the light emitted by stars or reflected by the moon. Light pollution reduces or eliminates these celestial light sources and can cause birds to be confused or otherwise attracted to brightly lit areas, steering them off migratory routes, causing premature landings or collisions, and wasting energy. Unfortunately, when birds are attracted to brightly lit urban and suburban areas, they face a variety of human threats that may impact their survival, particularly window strikes, which kill billions of birds in the United States each year. The good news is that we can facilitate safe passage for birds by reducing artificial light at night.  

Lights Out began in Pennsylvania in Philadelphia after a bird mass casualty event, learn more: Philadelphia has dimmed its skyline after a 'mass collision' killed thousands of migrating birds | CNN

The SOlution

Lights Out is a voluntary program that involves turning off and minimizing external and internal building lights at night as well as following responsible outdoor lighting principles, during spring and fall migration, to reduce the risk of bird collisions.

What Can You do?

From April 1 - May 31 and August 15 - November 15 (but ideally, year-round!), consider turning off unnecessary lights between at least midnight and 6 a.m. Your enthusiastic support of Lights Out Harrisburg will be much appreciated.

Anyone can participate: building owners, residents, or municipalities!

Contribute to Lights Out

• Limit exterior decorative lighting and turn off before midnight

• Extinguish spot and flood-lights

• Substitute strobe lighting wherever possible

• Reduce atrium lighting wherever possible

• Turn off interior lighting, especially on upper floors

• Substitute area lighting with task lighting for workers staying late and/or pull window coverings

• Down-shield exterior lighting to eliminate horizontal glare and all light directed upward

• Install automatic motion sensors and controls wherever possible

• When converting to new lighting, assess quality and quantity of light needed, avoiding over-lighting with newer, brighter technology. Look for LED fixtures with a color temperature of 2700 Kelvin or less. This is a pleasant, warm light that is easy on the eyes, reduces glare, and enhances visibility

Responsible outdoor lighting is: 1. Useful, 2. Targeted, 3. Low Level, 4. Controlled, and 5. Warm-Colored  

Lights Out resources

Responsible Lighting Principles for Birds

Lights Out Harrisburg Letter

Lights Out Harrisburg FAQ

Lights Out Factsheet

Lights Out Program | Audubon

Early results promising for ‘Lights Out Philly’ bird project - WHYY

Model Ordinances for municipalities

Created by DarkSky International, this example U.S. Municipal Code for Outdoor Lighting should be the standard all municipalities should strive for. Supplements for illuminated signage and seasonal lighting can be incorporated.

Lights out doesn’t just help birds - reducing light pollution is better for human health and the environment as a whole

Artificial Light at Night: State of the Science 2025

Light Pollution and Its Effects on Human Health and the Environment: A Review

Light pollution is a driver of insect declines - ScienceDirect

Lights Out Harrisburg is the result of a collaborative effort led by PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, PA Department of General Services, PA Game Commission, DarkSky Pennsylvania, Harristown, Harrisburg Downtown Improvement District, Appalachian Audubon Society, National Audubon Society, Liberty Bird Alliance & West Shore Wildlife Center.

Learn more about Lights Out Programs across the nation here