Dark Sky Friendly Lighting
Our Dark Sky friendly outdoor luminaires deliver effective, directed illumination while reducing glare, backlight, and uplight to protect the night sky. These fixtures balance performance with environmental responsibility using 3000K and amber lighting, full cutoff designs, dimming capabilities, and shielding accessories. Available in a wide range of styles for area, pathway, and building exteriors, they provide safe, attractive lighting while lowering light pollution.
Looking for Wildlife-Friendly lighting specifically?
Wildlife-friendly lighting minimizes the disruptions of artificial light on habitats and diminishes the risk of predators. This type of lighting benefits wildlife while also reducing eyestrain or glare, making nighttime walks through nature or on the beach more enjoyable. In addition, certain municipalities enforce regulations to prevent excessive light pollution.
Effects of Light Pollution on Communities
There are four different types of light pollution that can affect your community. These include:
- Glare: When lights are too intense, causing glare or eyestrain.
- Light Trespass: Poorly installed lights shine into residences or businesses.
- Skyglow: Lights causing excessive brightness or uplight, reducing the visibility of the night sky.
- Overlighting: Installing too many light fixtures will create overwhelming brightness.
Why Does Dark Sky Friendly Lighting Matter?
Dark Sky Friendly Lighting is deliberately constructed to reduce light pollution.
These fixtures focus warm white or amber light downwards, either with fully cutoff features, glare shields, or frosted lenses for an intentional and direct uniform light output.
We carry various lights in a amber or selectable CCT options, which allows you to set your lights to a warm CCT before installation. Warm CCT lights are usually not noticeable by wildlife and less likely to be mistaken for moonlight.
Consider installing the minimum number of fixtures for sufficient lighting. Installing too many lights close together can have multiple negative effects, including causing eyestrain, distracting drivers, disorienting wildlife, and light trespass.
For increased light control, consider using fixtures with an integrated photocell to power lights on or off based on available natural light, or motion sensors to power lights off after a period of inactivity.
How Does Dark Sky Friendly Lighting Affect Different Groups?
Humans
Dark Sky friendly light fixtures will reduce the risk of light trespass into private properties, improving sleep and overall moods. Traditional artificial light easily causes light pollution and may disrupt sleep schedules, causing fatigue and anxiety.
Nocturnal Animals
Dark Sky friendly lights will protect nocturnal animals by allowing them to stay hidden when hunting and not disrupting their circadian rhythms, extending their life expectancy and overall quality of life.
Birds
These fixtures ensure birds can safely navigate without getting disoriented by artificial lighting. When artificial light fixtures are poorly placed or designed, birds may get confused, causing them to collide with objects.
Insects
Dark Sky friendly lights protect insects by allowing them to hide from predators. When insects are attracted to artificial light they are not very likely to survive. However, due to the lower kelvin ratings, Dark Sky lights are less likely to be detected by insects.
Astrotourism
Many people enjoy traveling to view the night sky, moon, stars, and astronomical events. Dark Sky fixtures won’t cause sky glow, and are great for locations wanting to attract people interested in astrotourism.
