Dark Skies, Quiet Nights: Protecting Our Village from Light Pollution
- Marshallton Conservation Trust
- Jul 23
- 2 min read
Light pollution doesn’t just block our view of the night sky—it has tangible consequences for people and wildlife alike. For humans, exposure to artificial light at night can disrupt circadian rhythms, making it more difficult to sleep and potentially affecting long-term health. For wildlife, the effects are far-reaching: birds can become disoriented and collide with structures; bats avoid foraging in well-lit areas; and insects, such as fireflies and moths, lose the ability to navigate or communicate through natural light cues. Even plants are affected when their pollinators disappear.
As part of our mission to protect the rural character and natural beauty of Marshallton, the Marshallton Conservation Trust is shining a light on this issue and the simple actions we can all take to help.
What Is Light Pollution?
Light pollution refers to the excessive or misdirected artificial light at night—often from outdoor fixtures like streetlamps, floodlights, and even porch lights. It doesn't just wash out our view of the stars. It also disrupts sleep patterns in humans, interferes with wildlife behaviors like migration, mating and feeding, and wastes energy and contributes to climate change.
Who Does It Affect?
Light pollution has far-reaching effects across the natural world:
Birds: Especially during migration, birds become disoriented by artificial light, often leading to fatal collisions with buildings or exhausting detours.
Bats: Artificial light near roosts can delay emergence and make foraging more dangerous.
Insects & Fireflies: Light interrupts mating signals and draws insects away from healthy ecosystems.
Butterflies: Even monarchs are affected—exposure to artificial light can throw off their internal navigation systems.
Humans: Disrupted sleep, higher stress, and reduced melatonin levels are linked to overexposure to light at night.
What Can I Do?
With a few small changes to the way we light our homes and landscapes, we can help preserve the stillness of night—for the creatures that depend on darkness, for the comfort of our neighbors, and for our own well-being. Together, we can keep Marshallton shining in all the right ways—by day and under starry skies.
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