RESOLUTION NO. ______, SERIES 2026
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A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING LIGHTS OUT LOUISVILLE AND VOLUNTARY REDUCTIONS IN UNNECESSARY NIGHTTIME LIGHTING DURING BIRD MIGRATION SEASONS.
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SPONSORED BY: COUNCIL MEMBER JP LYNINGER
WHEREAS, millions of migratory birds pass through Louisville and the surrounding region during spring and fall migration, and many songbirds migrate at night using natural celestial cues for navigation; and
WHEREAS, artificial light at night can attract, disorient, and exhaust migrating birds, increasing the risk of collisions with buildings and windows and contributing to substantial bird mortality nationwide; and
WHEREAS, Lights Out Louisville is a community conservation program led by the Louisville Audubon Society operating across Kentucky and Southern Indiana to make migration safer for birds by encouraging residents, businesses, institutions, and public agencies to reduce unnecessary artificial light at night during peak migration months; and
WHEREAS, Louisville Metro Government, Louisville Parks and Recreation, Louisville Free Public Library branches, and other public facilities can lead by example by turning off nonessential lighting, closing blinds or shades when interior lighting is needed, shielding outdoor lights downward, using motion sensors where appropriate, and selecting warm-colored lighting that reduces sky glow; and
WHEREAS, reducing unnecessary nighttime lighting can also lower energy use, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, decrease operating costs, improve views of the night sky, and support public health and neighborhood quality of life; and
WHEREAS, the recommended Lights Out period promoted by the Louisville Audubon Society is 11:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. during the peak spring migration months of April and May and the peak fall migration months of September and October; and
WHEREAS, Louisville’s participation in Lights Out Louisville would align the City with a national Lights Out movement led by Audubon and community partn...
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