Effective outdoor lighting creates the right aesthetic while supporting safety and commerce. Because excessive artificial light – known as light pollution – can have environmental consequences, dark sky-friendly lighting was developed to minimize the harmful effects of light pollution on humans, wildlife and our climate.
Key tenets of dark sky-friendly lighting include:
• Only light the area that needs it
• Be no brighter than necessary
• Minimize blue light emissions
• Be fully shielded (pointing downward)
BENEFITS OF DARK SKY LIGHTING:
• Increases safety by reducing glare for drivers and pedestrians
• Improves appearance of night sky – greater contrast between sky and stars
• Positive economic impact to surrounding communities