Northampton City Lights urges public education on light-at-night impacts to trees and wildlife

Christina White, a Northampton City Lights volunteer, told the Northampton Urban Forestry Commission on Oct. 15 that artificial light at night affects tree health, urban wildlife and human health and asked the commission to help educate the public.

White said scientific studies show artificial night lighting shifts tree timing — altering bud break, leaf color and leaf drop — and can reduce canopy benefits such as cooling, air filtration and habitat. She also said nocturnal insects and migrating birds that use greenways are disrupted by night lighting.

White noted that Northampton “already has an ordinance that’s updated, that aligns with best practices for dark sky,” describing features such as shielded, down-directed fixtures, warmer color temperatures, glare limits, trespass limits and after-hours shutoffs. She said many businesses are unaware that lights are supposed to be turned off one hour after closing and that enforcement is complaint-based, so education would be a practical tool.

White offered a brochure from Northampton City Lights and said the group would provide materials and links from its website to support the commission’s stewardship of trees and wildlife.

Ellen Smith, a Smith College student attending as part of the Greenway Lab, said she was at the meeting to observe and learn; she mentioned student work on a tree-planting memorial and had a meeting scheduled with staff the following day.

The commission did not take a formal vote during public comment on the matter. White’s materials and links were accepted by commission members and the group indicated willingness to provide more brochures on request.