Have you felt the change in the air?

Fall is coming, and it's a big time of year for the birds in Wyoming, which will begin their migration.

It's estimated that 5.6 million birds have already begun to migrate, and Audubon Rockies asks that you help prevent their confusion as they travel south for the fall and winter.

It's thought that 80% of the birds migrate at night and fly over cities and towns lit by artificial lights. The lights can disorientate the birds, causing them to collide with buildings, structures, and even windows.

The collisions can be deadly, and the energy wasted by flying around the confusion could exhaust the birds, making them vulnerable to other threats.

The Audubon has created the 'Lights Out' program to help reduce the problem of light interfering with their journey.

Here are ways you can contribute to the Lights Out solution:

  • Turn off exterior decorative lighting.
  • Reduce atrium lighting wherever possible.
  • Turn off interior lighting, especially on higher stories.
  • Switch to task and area lighting for workers staying late or cover the windows.
  • Use shielding and aiming so that no light is emitted upwards.
  • Install automatic motion sensors and controls wherever possible.
  • When converting to new lighting, assess the quality and quantity needed and avoid over-lighting with newer, brighter technology.

Not only can shutting off a few extra lights help the birds, but you'll be helping your wallet by conserving electricity.

It doesn't seem like much, but you're helping nature and wildlife.

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