RESPONSIBLE LIGHTING
How to Keep Borrego Skies Dark
What to Know About Responsible Lighting
LIGHt pollution and why we need Lighting Standards
Light pollution refers to the human-made alteration of natural light levels, particularly at night, caused by artificial lighting that is excessive, poorly directed, or unnecessary. It disrupts the natural patterns of light and dark in ecosystems, creating adverse effects on both humans and wildlife. Common sources include streetlights, building illumination, advertising signs, outdoor sports venues, and vehicle lights.
Light pollution is widespread, with over 80% of the world’s population living under skies affected by artificial light, and urban areas experiencing the most severe effects. Efforts to reduce light pollution include using shielded lighting, lower brightness, timers, and warmer color temperatures to preserve natural darkness while maintaining safety.
Types of Light Pollution:
- Skyglow: The brightening of the night sky over urban areas due to scattered artificial light, which reduces the visibility of stars and celestial objects
- Glare: Excessive brightness that causes visual discomfort or reduces visibility.
- Light trespass: Light spilling into areas where it is not intended or needed.
- Over-illumination: Using more light than necessary for a task or area.
- Light clutter: Excessive grouping of lights that creates confusion or distraction.
about Borrego springs lighting standards
You can help protect Borrego’s night sky from the increasing problem of light pollution. Making small improvements to lighting can lead to huge improvements in the quality of our dark night sky.
courtesy Yorkshire Dales UK National Park Authority
The Borrego Springs Dark Sky Coalition works tirelessly to help protecting our town exceptional Dark Sky environment. In addition to relying on the San Diego Lighting Regulations, the Coalition has established the Borrego Springs Lighting Standards, which are a set of guidelines for Borregans to for help in the effort of keeping our beautiful community dark.
Is Your Home Dark Sky Friendly?
You can reduce light pollution by ensuring that your exterior lighting is neighbor and dark sky friendly. Most people will find that a few simple changes can lead to home lighting that is both beautiful and functional, without contributing to excessive light pollution. The International Dark Sky Association has a Dark Sky Friendly Home Certification for just that purpose!
new fact sheets from dark sky international
Dark Sky International has numerous fact sheets to help you learn and educate others about the negative impacts of light pollution. Each fact sheet highlights a single topic, providing in-depth information about the importance of smart and sensitive lighting that protects the night.
Click the button below to access more resources from the Darksky.org website!
What Can I Do With a Neighbor That Has Bright Lights?
It has happened to almost all of us: a neighbor installs lights that spill onto our property and even inside our home.
This is called light trespass, and most of the time, our neighbor does not have any malicious intent. Perhaps they want to beautify their property, or they have a safety concern.
How can you deal with this situation? Below are a few tips to start:
- Make friends, not enemies. Your neighbors probably don’t even realize their lighting is bothersome.
- Stay positive and don’t argue. Be tactful and understanding about your neighbor’s right to light their property.
- Talking to your neighbor is a great opportunity to be an advocate for good lighting. Get and share information about dark sky communities in the world and their importance, about the costs of electricity and how to save, as well as tips on good lighting to ensure safety from potential criminals.
- Suggest alternatives to their current fixture. Ask them to move the light, shield it, or add a motion sensor, so it’s activated only when needed. Offer to help get this done.
For more information and details on this subject, click here to visit the Dark Sky International website.
BUSINESSES: Become a Night Sky Friendly Business
Established by the Borrego Springs Dark Sky Coalition, this program recognizes local businesses and organizations that have adopted an active policy of outdoor lighting respecting the Borrego Valley standards for a dark sky.
The participation is entirely voluntary, and any business or organization located in the Borrego Springs area is eligible.
Businesses recognized for their effort in maintaining or converting appropriate night lighting receive a Certificate of Merit and benefit from a positive exposure in the local media, as well as the use of the Night Sky Friendly logo in their advertising.
Join the many businesses and organizations that have already been recognized in the Borrego Valley: the first step is to contact the Borrego Springs Dark Sky Coalition (see contact information below) to conduct an audit of your outdoor lighting to determine the actions needed for recognition, if any.
Borrego Springs Dark Sky Coalition
c/o Anza-Borrego Desert Natural History Association
PO Box 310
Borrego Springs, CA 92004
760-767-3052
abdnha2@att.net
Click here to download the Night Sky Friendly Business Application.