Artificial Light at Night
Reduce Artificial Light at Night
Turning off artificial nighttime lighting helps protect night-migrating birds, keeping them on their natural migration paths. Photo: John Deguzman
The threat of artificial light
- Millions of birds pass through New York City each spring and fall migration, relying on natural light cues for navigation, communication, and reproduction.
- Artificial light pollution disturbs these cues, reorienting birds' pathways and drawing them into our dangerous urban environment.
- As birds stop to rest and refuel, they encounter glass windows and facades that reflect sky and habitat. An estimated quarter of a million birds die from window collisions in NYC each year.
How You Can Help Support Lights Out Advocacy Efforts
Photo Credit: Roman Kruglov
Support Intro 0998 [Epstein]
Intro 0998, introduced by Council Member Harvey Epstein on August 13, 2026, is the next essential step in New York City's efforts to protect migrating birds, extending effective Lights Out requirements from city-owned buildings to privately owned commercial and office buildings citywide.
Take the Lights Out Pledge!
Join NYC Bird Alliance and fellow New Yorkers in making the City safer for migrating birds by taking our Lights Out Pledge. By turning off unnecessary lights at night during migration season, we can make the City safer for the millions of birds passing overhead, help reduce light pollution, which is good for birds and people. lower energy use for a more sustainable city.
