The City of Greensboro is once again encouraging all residents and business owners to turn off their nonessential lights at night in order to help migrating birds safely navigate through the area. The city’s ongoing partnership with the T. Gilbert Pearson Audubon Society has brought back the “Lights Out for Birds” program for 2025.
It’s a voluntary initiative that’s aimed at reducing bird fatalities as well as conserving energy.
Bird collisions with glass windows are a serious issue – with the National Audubon Society estimating that more than a billion birds die this way in the US every year. The accidents are believed to be a major factor in the 29 percent decline of North American bird populations since 1970.
Many of these birds travel along the “Atlantic Flyway,” which includes North Carolina, and most birds migrate at night using the stars to guide them. That means bright city lights can throw them off course, leading to dangerous stops in unsuitable locations – and, too often, it results in fatal crashes into buildings.
The Lights Out for Birds program is considered to be a simple but effective way that everyone can help our fine feathered friends. Program backers ask Greensboro residents, businesses and building managers to turn off all unnecessary lights between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. during peak migration periods—that is, from March 15 to May 31 in the spring.
In the fall, the peak migration period is September 10 to November 30, so residents are asked to keep the lighting low then as well.
Not only does this make the journey safer for birds, but it also helps cut down on energy costs and reduces light pollution in the community. (We’re looking at you Sheetz.)
The City of Greensboro has already taken steps to lead by example by turning off nonessential lights in city government buildings. This effort also aligns with the city’s GSO2040 Comprehensive Plan for sustainability and energy conservation – and it contributes to Greensboro’s upcoming LEED for Cities recertification. (That stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.)
The “Light’s Out” movement is growing across North Carolina and beyond: Other cities like Asheville, Cary, Chapel Hill, Durham, Raleigh and Winston-Salem have also joined the initiative, along with many other communities across the US and Canada.
Residents who want to take part can visit the website to learn more and pledge their participation. Those who sign up will even receive a personalized certificate to display as a sign of their commitment to protecting migrating birds. The web address is https://www.tgpearsonaudubon.org/lights-out.
Here are some other specific recommendations that will help the birds make it where they are going safely:
- Turn off or dim lobby and atrium lights.
- Turn off or dim interior home lighting or draw blinds to prevent light escaping.
- Turn off decorative landscape lighting.
- Turn off lights before leaving the home or office.
- Be sure outside lights are aimed down and well-shielded.
- Install motion sensors on outside lights to minimize use.
