Lights Out Asheville
The City of Asheville commits to a Lights Out initiative to help protect migratory birds!
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Asheville’s Mayor and City Council made a huge commitment to protect migratory birds by issuing a Bird Migration Awareness Proclamation and sponsoring a new Lights Out initiative. The program is designed to increase awareness of migratory bird collisions with buildings and to promote practices that help prevent bird mortalities.
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As part of the Lights Out campaign, the city pledges to turn off unnecessary lighting during spring and fall migration, and encourages residents, business owners and building managers to do the same. Bright city lights can disorient migrating birds, often leading to fatal building collisions. A 2014 study put the estimate of bird-collision deaths at up to 1 billion per year, but a 2024 follow-up study Klem, et al. puts the number even higher: bird deaths from collisions with windows are at a minimum of 1 billion every year.
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Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer announced the Proclamation and Lights Out initiative in a press release on February 10, 2022.
Please take a moment to thank our city officials
for their commitment to protecting birds.
Our Start - Coalition for a Bird-Friendly Asheville
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In 2021, Blue Ridge Audubon Chapter and the UNCA Audubon Club formed the Coalition for a Bird-Friendly Asheville and teamed up with other community organizations. They vowed to advocate for the protection of birds through implementing safety measures, primarily with bird-safe window treatments, and through a lights-out commitment during migration months. Inspired by Lights Out programs in cities like New York, Chicago, Atlanta, and more, the Coalition united community members and worked with city officials to implement a Lights Out program for Asheville.
Their efforts were a success: in February 2022, Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer proclaimed the months of March through May and September through November as “Bird Migration Awareness Month.” This proclamation encourages Asheville residents, businesses, and building managers to turn off non-essential lighting between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m, saving the lives of birds and reducing energy costs.
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The proclamation and announcement of the Lights Out initiative can be read in this press release.
How It Helps
Lights Out Successes
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New York City - Inaugurated their Lights Out program in 2005. Iconic buildings like the Chrysler Building, Rockefeller Center, and the Worldwide Plaza are participating.
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The 9/11 Memorial began turning their lights off when needed during the Tribute in Light, where thousands of birds can become disoriented during their migration.
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Chicago - Since 2000, various buildings downtown have turned their exterior lights off at night. This saves an estimated 10,000 birds each year.
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Austin - Began their Lights Out program in 2021 as part of a broader Lights Out Texas initiative.
