Set aside time this weekend to explore the night sky

Dear Readers:

Twice per summer, people in the Northwoods are urged to turn off their lights and practice a little gratitude for dark skies, while also helping nocturnal wildlife thrive.

The first round of the fourth annual Northwoods Lights Out! initiative is happening this weekend, June 12-14. The second will be held later this summer on Aug. 14-16. These dates are chosen for their concurrence with the new moon phases so the sky is as dark as possible.

A number of area groups combine efforts to highlight the importance of dark skies and allow a space for people to connect with nature.

Darkness may be something that is taken for granted here in the Northwoods, but as more residential and commercial buildings expand their use of exterior and interior lighting — sometimes operating throughout all hours of the night — these sacred dark spaces are being lost. 

The result is devastating for local insects and wildlife, and can also have negative impacts on humans as well.

There are a number of factors that go into light pollution. It’s not always just the amount of light, but what direction it’s aimed at and the hue of the light itself.

Locally and globally, light pollution can affect our pollinators and insect breeding populations, which ultimately impact the animals that rely on those insects as a major food source. Some of our most beloved wildlife species in the North are greatly affected by light pollution, including fireflies, monarch butterflies, hummingbirds, bats and owls. 

Insects are drawn to cooler white- or blue-hued lights, so using warmer shades of yellow- or amber-hued can make a big difference in allowing them to carry on in a more natural way. 

Studies also show that light pollution can influence animal behaviors like migration patterns, wake-sleep habits, and habitat formation. Because of light pollution, other critters like sea turtles and birds guided by moonlight can become confused and lose their way.

Another consideration is to point lights down toward the ground, rather than upward, to lessen their effects on traveling nocturnal creatures. Motion-activated lights as opposed to those that stay on constantly are another option to consider. 

Beyond the wildlife effects, humans who are subjected to increased amounts of light at night can experience lower melatonin production resulting in sleep deprivation, fatigue, headaches, stress, anxiety and other problems. 

I read an alarming statistic from the International Dark Sky Association that said 80% of Americans cannot see the Milky Way due to light pollution. Imagine looking up and seeing nothing but flat gray. No pinpoints of stars in the sky, no constellations to find. No Northern Light displays.

All lighting should have a clear purpose; so please consider how your use of light will impact others, human and otherwise.

Our night skies can offer up much intrigue but are a few switches away from being lost. Maybe it’s time we start keeping ourselves in the dark.