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San Marcos joins Lights Out Texas; city asks businesses and residents to dim nonessential lights Aug. 15–Nov. 30, 2025
Summary
Mayor proclaimed an August 15–Nov. 30, 2025 Lights Out period for municipal buildings and asked citizens and businesses to dim nonessential lighting to protect migrating birds; staff noted it can reduce window collisions by about 60%.
Mayor Jane Hughson proclaimed Aug. 15 through Nov. 30, 2025, as the period for Lights Out for bird safety in San Marcos and said the city has joined the statewide Lights Out Texas initiative.
The proclamation said hundreds of millions of birds pass through Texas each spring and fall and that many migratory species move at night, making artificial light a hazard. It said turning off or dimming nonessential lights on municipal buildings from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. during critical migration periods helps reduce disorientation and collisions.
A staff presenter noted that encouraging residents and businesses to turn off nonessential lighting between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. during migration periods “can reduce window collision fatalities of migratory birds by 60%.” The proclamation calls on citizens to support bird safety and directs municipal facilities to participate during the stated dates.
The proclamation frames the action as voluntary community participation rather than a regulatory mandate; no ordinance, fine, or enforcement action was described during the meeting.
