Lights Out Texas!

Bird migration occurs from March to June and September to November; during this time, light pollution can make birds vulnerable to an estimated 1 billion U.S. fatalities annually. To reduce collisions with buildings and homes, we encourage the community to reduce light pollution during the 2023 Spring Migration:

Spring Migration, March 1-June 15 Peak migration, April 22-May 12

"Birds are essential to our planet’s ecology and local economy. Birds provide ecosystem services, act as benchmarks for environmental health, increase livability, and connect people of all ages and abilities to the natural world. Birds also support the Texas economy. In the Rio Grande Valley alone, Texas A&M found that nature tourism, which is dominated by bird watching, contributes $300 million to the economy and supports 4,407 full and part-time jobs annually." Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute

To reduce migratory bird mortality, we ask that you turn off your nonessential lights from 11 p.m.-6 a.m., and where conflicts apply, prioritize lights out during the critical peak periods.

BirdCast tools by Cornell Lab of Ornithology can inform you when increased migration traffic will happen in your area.