Governor Walz proclaims October 7-12 "Lights Out Week" to raise awareness around light pollution and migrating birds
Oct 10, 2024 08:51AM ● By Content Editor
Photo: Hikarinoshita Hikari on Unsplash.com
By Laura Durenberger-Grunow - Boreal Community Media - October 10, 2024
While we are at the end of peak bird migration season in Minnesota, almost 69,000 birds flew over Cook County last night. Birds and other nocturnal animals rely on dark skies for navigation, finding food, and safety.
In an interview with Boreal Community Media last month, Mark Morgen, a Grand Marais resident and member of the Minnesota-based organization Starry Skies North (a chapter of Dark Sky International), told Boreal Community Media, "It’s well known that birds need a clear view of the stars to migrate south in the fall and north in the spring. Light pollution obstructs this view as it does for humans, and distracts the birds from their migration path." When a bird is migrating hundreds or thousands of miles, any distraction can lead to "fatigue, hunger, or possible death," he added.
To help raise awareness of dark skies and protect migrating birds on their journey (among other health benefits for humans and the surrounding ecosystem), Governor Tim Walz has declared October 7-12, 2024, as "Lights Out Week." According to the Proclamation, "By raising awareness of the harmful effects of light pollution and promoting responsible outdoor lighting, we can all help to reduce light pollution, protect migratory birds and other wildlife, improve our own health, combat climate change, and increase our quality of life."
Minnesota is home to two Dark Sky Sanctuaries, the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and Voyageurs National Park. DarkSky International defines a DarkSky Sanctuary as "public or private land that has an exceptional or distinguished quality of starry nights and a nocturnal environment that is protected for its scientific, natural, or educational value, its cultural heritage, and/or public enjoyment."
Earlier this year, the State of Minnesota and the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa declared April 2-8 "Dark Sky Week" to raise awareness of light pollution at night and the importance of preserving dark skies.
Cook County also celebrates the dark sky with the annual Dark Sky Festival, held in December.
To learn more about light pollution at night and how it impacts migrating birds, click here.
To learn more about reducing light pollution at night, click here.
By Laura Durenberger-Grunow - Boreal Community Media - October 10, 2024
While we are at the end of peak bird migration season in Minnesota, almost 69,000 birds flew over Cook County last night. Birds and other nocturnal animals rely on dark skies for navigation, finding food, and safety.
In an interview with Boreal Community Media last month, Mark Morgen, a Grand Marais resident and member of the Minnesota-based organization Starry Skies North (a chapter of Dark Sky International), told Boreal Community Media, "It’s well known that birds need a clear view of the stars to migrate south in the fall and north in the spring. Light pollution obstructs this view as it does for humans, and distracts the birds from their migration path." When a bird is migrating hundreds or thousands of miles, any distraction can lead to "fatigue, hunger, or possible death," he added.
To help raise awareness of dark skies and protect migrating birds on their journey (among other health benefits for humans and the surrounding ecosystem), Governor Tim Walz has declared October 7-12, 2024, as "Lights Out Week." According to the Proclamation, "By raising awareness of the harmful effects of light pollution and promoting responsible outdoor lighting, we can all help to reduce light pollution, protect migratory birds and other wildlife, improve our own health, combat climate change, and increase our quality of life."
Image: State of Minnesota
Minnesota is home to two Dark Sky Sanctuaries, the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and Voyageurs National Park. DarkSky International defines a DarkSky Sanctuary as "public or private land that has an exceptional or distinguished quality of starry nights and a nocturnal environment that is protected for its scientific, natural, or educational value, its cultural heritage, and/or public enjoyment."
Earlier this year, the State of Minnesota and the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa declared April 2-8 "Dark Sky Week" to raise awareness of light pollution at night and the importance of preserving dark skies.
Cook County also celebrates the dark sky with the annual Dark Sky Festival, held in December.
To learn more about light pollution at night and how it impacts migrating birds, click here.
To learn more about reducing light pollution at night, click here.
