Thursday, January 23, 2025

North Dakota Legislators Introduce Dark Sky Initiative to Safeguard Migrating Birds

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North Dakota lawmakers are set to review Senate Concurrent Resolution 4004, which proposes establishing a statewide Dark Sky Week from April 21-28 to address light pollution and protect migrating birds. Introduced by a bipartisan group of state senators and representatives, the resolution aims to encourage residents to limit nonessential lighting during this week. Light pollution poses significant threats not only to visibility of the night sky but also to animal behavior and plant life. As North Dakota lies along a critical migratory route, especially in mid-April, the resolution emphasizes the importance of reducing artificial light to aid birds in navigation. Measures suggested include using motion sensor lights and installing light covers, which could also benefit energy efficiency. A public hearing on the resolution is scheduled for Thursday morning at the Capitol.

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