ECOLOGY OF DARKNESS · ECOLOGY OF DARKNESS DARK SKIES & Why They Matter . Bridget Langdale. International Dark Sky Association . IDA DELGEGATE. Texas Master Naturalist. Hill Country

Photo credit: Christopher V. Sh

ECOLOGY OF DARKNESSDARK SKIES & Why They Matter

Bridget Langdale

International Dark Sky Association IDA DELGEGATE

Texas Master NaturalistHill Country Alliance Dark Sky

Astronomical LeagueHill Country Astronomy Club

Mason Star Gazers

Milky Way over Pedernales Falls State

LIGHT POLLUTIONIT NEEDS OUR PROTECTION

•

Wayfinding Task Performance

Why Do We Light?

Aesthetics

LIGHT POLLUTION SIDE EFFECT: INDUSTRIAL CIVILIZATION

• building exterior and interior lighting,

• advertising, commercial properties, offices, factories

• streetlights, and illuminated sporting venues.

The fact = much outdoor lighting used at night is • inefficient

• overly bright

• poorly targeted

• improperly shielded, and, in many cases,

• completely unnecessary

• It’s NOT focused on it’s intended purpose.

Serious Problem

Simple Solution

• IDA (International Dark Sky Association (www.darksky.org) 1988

• International Dark Sky Places program.

Show ordinary people you can make a positive change with simple solutions

• IDA’s recommendations can function in a way that is both feasible and has a massive impact.

http://www.darksky.org/

Dark Sky ResolutionsCounties with resolutions:BanderaBlancoBurnetComalEdwardsHaysGillespieKerrKimbleLlanoMasonRealUvalde

Dark Sky Ordinances

Cities with ordinances:AustinBanderaBee CaveBlancoBoerneBulverdeDripping SpringsFredericksburgHelotesJohnson CityKyleLakewayLlanoMasonNew BraunfelsSan AntonioSan MarcosSunset ValleyWest Lake HillsWimberley

IDA Dark Sky Places

Dark Sky Communities are legally organized cities and towns that adopt quality outdoor lighting ordinances and undertake efforts to educate residents about the importance of dark skies

Designated communities:Dripping SpringsWimberleyHorseshoe Bay

Currently Applying:BlancoFredericksburg

IDA Dark Sky Places

Dark Sky Parks are publicly- or privately-owned spaces protected for natural conservation that implement good outdoor lighting and provide dark sky programs for visitors.

Designated Parks:Enchanted RockUBarUSouth Llano River

Currently Applying:Lost MaplesReimersRanchLBJ National Park

Why does light pollution matter?

1. Night Sky Heritage2. Wildlife3. Human Health4. Crime5. Traffic6. Finance7. Astronomy


1. Night Sky: Heritage, culture, wonder

Stars glow over the Texas Hill Country. Photo by Ralph Arvesen (licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0)


1. Night Sky: Heritage, culture, wonder2. Wildlife: Insects, birds, mammals, ecosystems

1. Bats, fish, predators, plants, butterflies, pollinators

BIRDS• Migration: (use moon/stars)

• Crash/exhaustion

• 450 species effected

• Seabirds also • Offshore drilling• Fisherman lights

SEA TURTLES

FIREFLIES*Mating disrupted

MOTHS:*vulnerable to predators

….artificial lights at night interfere with the ability of plants to produce seeds, and for moths and other nocturnal pollinators to gather food


Human Health: Sleep disorders, metabolism, cancer

LESS SLEEP? MIGHT BE BECAUSE OF SMARTPHONES.

LACK OF SLEEP ISN'T JUST LINKED TO CHRONIC CONDITIONS

SLEEP AND MELATONIN

• We need ‘restorative sleep

• Biggest issue is …Melatonin and Blue Light

• Melatonin production• Keeps us healthy

• Antioxidant properties• Induces sleep

• Boosts immune system

• Lowers cholesterol• Helps thyroid, pancreas, ovaries, testes and adrenal glands

CRIME AND SAFETY

“Dark Sky”≠

Dark Ground

BRIGHTER DOESN’T MEAN SAFER

• Studies by the US Department of Justice & the National Institute of Justice show no conclusive evidence that lighting prevents crime.

• Glare from bright, unshielded lights actually decreases safety because it shines into our eyes and constricts our pupils. Blinding & also makes it more difficult for our eyes to adjust to low-light conditions.

• Smart lighting: Create a balance between safety and starlight.

• Visibility should always be the goal.

GLARE KILLS VISIBILITYGOOD VISIBILITY = SAFETY &

SECURITY!

Photos courtesy of Cliff Hass.

Presenter

Presentation Notes

Now let’s talk about security. We want to see if someone is lurking about, right? The picture on the left shows a house with regular flood lights. On the right, the flood lights have been shielded and pointed down towards the ground. The man is standing in the same place in both pictures. So, how secure are we with our unshielded, outward or sideward pointed flood lights? There was an incident recently where an expensive car was stolen in a brightly lit parking lot with security cameras in place. The entire incident was recorded on video. The lens of the camera worked in a similar fashion to the human eye and the glare from the unshielded lights obscured the criminal just like it would have for a human trying to see what was happening.

ENTRANCE SAFETY

Presenter

Presentation Notes

Most homes have some sort of outdoor light fixtures. Often there’s at least one near the front door or steps so you can see where you’re stepping as you come and go. Right? Okay, let’s look at these two pictures. Notice the improved lighting on the steps and ground in the picture on the right. Also notice the glare in the picture on the left. What’s the difference in the light? In the right hand picture, the homeowner has taken a pineapple juice can, cut it to fit over the fixture, painted it to match the house and installed it over the bulb. Voila! This homemade shield protects the eye from the source of the light and points the light down where it’s needed. In doing so, the general visibility is improved and there is a great improvement in your ability to see where you’ll be walking. Have you ever really looked at the lights around your house at night? Do they improve safety or blind you with glare? Do they waste your money by sending light where you don’t need it?

• Shield down….Reduce Glare

LIGHT TRESPASS

Presenter

Presentation Notes

These buildings are across the street from each other. The home on the right has NO EXTERIOR LIGHTS ON!

Traffic Glare

GLARE

Saving Money• Only on when needed: • use switches and sensors• Not more than is needed for a specific task

No One Owns The Term “Dark Sky”

What is good lighting?

Wasted Light

Useful Light

CONTROLS TO HELP YOU

Timers Dimmers Photocells

MOTION SENSORS

HOW TO START A CONVERSATION?

There are 146 Lowe's Market stores open in the chain in Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and Colorado.

HTTPS://WWW.DARKSKY.ORG/IDA-ACCEPTING-APPLICATIONS-FOR-COMMUNITY-

FRIENDLY-SPORTS-LIGHTING-DESIGN-CERTIFICATION/

https://www.darksky.org/ida-accepting-applications-for-community-friendly-sports-lighting-design-certification/

IDA Announces Lighting Guidelines for Electronic Messaging Centers

AWARENESS CALL TO ACTION

1. Your Property

2. Talk to your friends and meet your neighbors

3. Work with your community. Schools. Real Estate Personnel. City Council. County Commissioners. Retail businesses.

www.darksky.orgwww.hillcountryalliance.org

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER14, 2019

• River Side Nature Center in Kerrville

• Register: Bridget = [email protected]

(limited Participants)

Agenda:

8:30 – 12:00 Learn PresentationGive PresentationLunch (on your own)

mailto:[email protected]

EVERYDAY NEEDS A NIGHT

www.hillcountryalliance.org/HCA/NightSkiesCliff Kaplan

Cliff Kaplan <[email protected]>

www.darksky.orgInternational Dark Sky Association (IDA)

“Join IDA and the TEXAS chapter”BettyMaya Fotts

http://www.hillcountryalliance.org/HCA/NightSkies

http://www.darksky.org/

Documents

ECOLOGY OF DARKNESS · ECOLOGY OF DARKNESS DARK SKIES & Why They Matter . Bridget Langdale. International Dark Sky Association . IDA DELGEGATE. Texas Master Naturalist. Hill Country