Lights Out bill aims to combat light pollution, protection wildlife
Westport is among the communities working toward combatting light pollution by incorporating its own dark sky regulations, proposing to start with commercial buildings in town.
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In June, Connecticut signed the Lights Out bill to have all state buildings turn their lights out at 11 p.m.
Westport is among the communities working toward combatting light pollution by incorporating its own dark sky regulations, proposing to start with commercial buildings in town.
The use of excessive light at night interrupts wildlife.
"Salmon migration involves salmon swimming upstream. If they come to a bridge which is highly illuminated, it interferes with their migration," said Leo Smith, with the Connecticut chapter of International Dark Skies Association.
Westport resident and bird enthusiast Lisa Wexler says she hopes more people become aware of this issue.
"Birds in particular need to migrate through night skies, that's when they go where they need to go. Sometimes they will go around a lit office building until they drop dead because they can't find their way out of the loop," said Wexler.
