By unanimously passing a resolution on April 6th, 2021 that was proposed in partnership by St. Louis Audubon Society and Lights Out Heartland, the county has taken an important step to protect migrating birds from the dangers of bright lights and skyglow. Birds use the stars and moon to navigate as they migrate at night. Light pollution can confuse migrating birds and lead to exhaustion, injury or even death.
St. Louis County now joins the international community and other cities including Minneapolis, Chicago, Kansas City, and Indianapolis in sponsoring Lights Out projects to protect birds during migration. As St. Louis County is the most populous county in Missouri, the county’s commitment to reducing bird mortality by encouraging St. Louis County businesses, organizations, and residents to turn off exterior lighting during the high migration intensity months of May and September will provide safe passage for many migrating birds in our region. St. Louis Audubon Society and Lights Out Heartland look forward to partnering with the council to enroll county-owned or managed buildings in the Lights Out Heartland partnership campaign.
To see which St. Louis County buildings are enrolled in the Lights Out campaign go here.
