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Saint Charles proclaims Lights Out campaign to protect migratory birds
Summary
The city proclaimed World Migratory Bird Day, recognized its Bird City designation and encouraged a voluntary lights-out campaign during spring and fall migration to reduce bird collisions.
Mayor Laura Vitak on May 5 proclaimed World Migratory Bird Day for the city and recognized the Saint Charles Natural Resources Commission for securing a Bird City designation and launching a voluntary Lights Out campaign to reduce bird collisions.
The proclamation cites nationwide estimates that collisions with glass and confusion from artificial lighting contribute to large bird mortality during migration and notes that “each year, millions of birds pass through the city of Saint Charles, Illinois during spring and fall while migrating between their breeding and wintering grounds.” The Natural Resources Commission will encourage residents and commercial building operators to turn off, dim or redirect nonessential indoor and outdoor lighting from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. during migration seasons.
Lauren Nagy, chair of the Natural Resources Commission, and Commission members including Susie Myers and Pam accepted the proclamation and described upcoming public events. Susie Myers told the council the designation “was not an easy task” and thanked the park district, Audubon, public works and commission volunteers for the effort. The commission announced a bird walk led by Forest Preserve staff and a Saturday evening walk beginning at the pedestrian bridge near Maple Leaf and Mount Saint Mary.
The proclamation also formalizes the city's participation in an international Lights Out movement that asks communities to reduce light pollution during peak migration to protect birds. The mayor said the proclamation is part of annual recognition on the second Saturday in May and the second Saturday in October.
No ordinance or budget action was taken at the meeting; the Lights Out campaign was presented as a voluntary education and outreach effort led by the Natural Resources Commission.
