Southern Utah light pollution could disorient migrating birds, advocates say

Light pollution from growing Southern Utah communities can disorient migrating birds, according to a St. George News report carried by Cedar City News. Phil Ertel, president of the Red Cliffs Audubon Society, said 80% of birds migrate at night and use the stars to navigate. ^[1]

Cornell BirdCast data showed 448,800 birds migrated through Washington County in September and 630,500 through Iron County. Ertel said brightly lit buildings can draw birds that circle until exhausted, and glass windows can cause fatal collisions. He said the skies are still dark and it does not seem to be a major problem for migration, but that light pollution is getting worse. ^[1]

Southwest Utah Dark Sky affiliate Michelle Gouldsberry said Ivins City requires downward-directed outdoor lighting, and that Springdale strictly enforces night-sky rules while other Washington County cities and the county have ordinances that do not seem to be strictly enforced. Brian Head Town requires shielded fixtures and runs a grant program for business lighting retrofits. ^[1]

Iron County Planner Brett Hamilton said the county is in the early stages of writing a night sky ordinance. Snow Canyon State Park received an Urban Night Sky certification last year, and Utah's five national parks and Cedar Breaks National Monument are certified International Dark Sky parks. ^[1]