Hays County joins together to support Lights Out for Birds

Staff Reports

Hays County communities, businesses and organizations are joining together for a Lights Out, Hays County campaign to help protect the billions of birds migrating through Texas during spring. Peak migration this spring lasts from April 22 through May 12.

Whether a building is one-story or many, we encourage everyone to turn off non-essential lights at night from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. during the full spring migration period through June 15 and, where conflicts apply, prioritize lights out during the critical peak spring migration.

“Using light responsibly matters every night for many reasons, but it is especially important during spring and fall bird migrations,” said Larry Calvert, Hays County Master Naturalist board member. 

Advocates for Lights Out, Hays County working together in support of the statewide effort include:

Hays County, City of Dripping Springs, City of Buda, City of Kyle, Hays County Master Naturalist, Hays County Friends of the Night Sky, Wimberley Valley Dark Sky Committee, Vista Brewing, Wild Birds Unlimited, Huth Avian, Mystic River Ranch, Wimberley Birding Society, and Wild Spirit Wild Places Foundation.

Lights Out Texas is facilitated and led by Texan by Nature and Audubon Texas.  Lights Out Texas is a campaign of education, awareness, and action that aims to raise awareness of the risk light pollution poses to birds.

To learn more about the Lights Out, Hays County campaign, visit the coalition’s web page at https://bit.ly/LightsOutHays.