Lights Out for Spring Migration: A Simple Way to Protect Birds

Every spring, millions of birds travel across Minnesota under the cover of night. Guided by the stars and moon, they make incredible journeys—sometimes spanning thousands of miles—as they move between wintering and breeding grounds.

But as they pass over our communities, they face a growing challenge: artificial light at night.

Bright lights from homes, buildings, and cities can disorient migrating birds, drawing them off course and into dangerous environments. Many birds collide with buildings or circle in confusion until they become exhausted. It’s estimated that millions of birds are lost each year due to these conditions—but there’s a simple way we can help.

Turn Lights Out, Save Birds

From March 15 through May 31, Sustainable Stillwater MN encourages residents and businesses to turn off non-essential outdoor lighting between midnight and dawn.

This small action can make a big difference. Lights Out programs across the country have been shown to significantly reduce bird collisions—helping protect wildlife during one of the most vulnerable times in their lifecycle.

A Growing Effort Across Minnesota

This year, our Bird City program is proud to partner with the Minnesota Bird Coalition and support their statewide initiative, Lights Out Alert Minnesota.

Lights Out Alert Minnesota (LOAM) is building a network of communities, organizations, and individuals working together to reduce light pollution during migration. What makes this effort especially impactful is its use of real-time data.

Using migration forecasts developed by the Purdue AeroEco Lab, LOAM identifies nights when large numbers of birds are expected to move across the region. On these high-activity nights, alerts are shared across the state—encouraging people to take action when it matters most.

By connecting local efforts into a coordinated system, this initiative expands the impact of Lights Out beyond individual communities and into a broader, statewide movement.

Why It Matters Beyond Birds

Reducing unnecessary light at night doesn’t just benefit migrating birds—it supports healthier ecosystems and communities overall.

• Human health: Excess nighttime lighting can disrupt sleep cycles and overall well-being.

• Night skies: Light pollution makes it difficult to see the stars—today, more than 80% of people in the U.S. can no longer see the Milky Way.

• Plants and insects: Artificial light interferes with natural cycles, affecting everything from flowering patterns to insect survival.

• Wildlife: Many species rely on natural light and dark cycles for feeding, migration, and reproduction.

When we reduce light pollution, we’re supporting the health of entire ecosystems—not just one species.

How You Can Help

Participating in Lights Out is simple:

• Turn off non-essential outdoor lights between midnight and dawn

• Close blinds or curtains to reduce indoor light spill

• Use motion sensors or timers where possible

• Encourage neighbors, workplaces, and community spaces to participate

A Collective Effort

Protecting migrating birds doesn’t require a major lifestyle change—just a small shift in awareness and action. When communities come together, even simple steps can create meaningful impact.

This spring, join us in turning the lights out—and helping keep Minnesota’s night skies safe for the birds that depend on them. 🐦🌙