Light and Darkness in Our Environment

Can we discuss LIGHT? -Not natural sunlight or how much you need or don't need for plants to grow properly, but the light that we as humans beings generate, especially in the last 50 years or so. Could you take a moment to think over your relationship with light in your gardens and on your property?
Most people believe that our lighting is foremost for safety and security, and that is true, to an extent, yet do we need this abundance of commercial and home lighting that has skyrocketed along with development?
Darkness is a gift from nature, a natural resource that humans are gradually destroying. No longer is the night sky what it was when many of us were young children. Can you clearly view the Milky Way?- Probably not. Do you remember the wonder of catching fireflies and keeping them in jars as a child? How you noticed a drop in the firefly population in recent years? Many locations worldwide are seeing major declines. Excess lighting affects their breeding habits negatively. Other creatures are also harmed by light encroachment. Sea turtles use the moon as navigation when searching for nesting areas on the shore, yet many are now in deep trouble from the increase in "skyglow." The negative impact to humans and the natural environment that excessive lighting brings is huge, but there are numerous online resources available to the savvy gardener who wants to learn more and bring about change.

Striving to keep light pollution low would help our natural environment immensely. Here a few things you can do to help:

1. Turn off lights when not in use.
2. Purchase lights that aim downwards if possible. Overly powerful lighting creates deep shadows, creating less safety.
3. Forgo the popular "party string lights" and LED lighting
4. Talk to your township and neighbors about light pollution.
5. Do your research online and follow suggestions to the best of your ability. The future depends on each of us!

PLEASE take time to check out some of these websites for maps, photos, and loads of interesting information:

darksky.net
darksitefinder.com
lightpollutionmap.info
firefly.org
xerces.org
or just Google light pollution