DURHAM, NC—Birds face a number of threats during their long migration journeys, but you can help by simply turning off unnecessary lights at night and advocating for your neighbors, employer, or local government to do the same. 

Many municipalities are doing their part to advance Lights Out across the state. Last fall, the city of Winston-Salem passed a Lights Out proclamation thanks to advocacy by Forsyth Audubon. The city joins eight other municipalities and counties who have passed Lights Out policies, including Asheville, Greensboro, Matthews, Raleigh, Chapel Hill, Cary, Durham, and Cumberland County. 

The momentum for Lights Out comes at an important time; a study published last year estimates that more than one billion birds die each year from fatal building collisions in the United States. This is much more than previously estimated and is due largely to lights and reflective windows that cause birds to become disoriented as they pass through our cities and towns. 

Many birds primarily migrate at night, using the moon and stars to navigate back to their breeding grounds, which means an influx of birds passing through our state during the spring months. 

“Folks across the state can have a big impact for birds during spring migration, starting tonight wherever you work or live,” said Curtis Smalling, executive director at Audubon North Carolina. “The science shows that small actions like turning off lights at night and making windows less reflective can save a significant number of birds each year.” 

Going Lights Out is a simple yet effective way everyone can help to ensure birds complete their long journeys back to their breeding grounds. Other actions that help migrating birds include installing bird-friendly window treatments at homes, buildings, and urban centers and planting more trees. 

Here is what you can do to help no matter where you live or work:   

• Turn off exterior decorative lighting. 
• ​Extinguish pot and flood-lights.  
• Substitute strobe lighting wherever possible Reduce atrium lighting wherever possible.   
• Reduce interior lighting especially on higher stories.   
• Close blinds and curtains.   
• 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.  

To learn how you can get involved with an active Lights Out program, contact your local chapter.   

Media Contact: Brittany Salmons, brittany.salmons@audubon.org   

About Audubon North Carolina 

Audubon North Carolina, a state program of the National Audubon Society, has offices in Durham, Boone, Corolla, and Wilmington. Learn more at nc.audubon.org and on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. The National Audubon Society protects birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow. A nonprofit conservation organization since 1905, Audubon works throughout the Americas using science, advocacy, education, and on-the-ground conservation. Learn more at www.audubon.org and on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @audubonsociety.