Downtown Fort Worth will turn Lights Out to Save Migrating Birds

March 22,2021

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See full WBAP article here.

Downtown Fort Worth’s high-rise buildings have joined the mission to help save the lives of migrating birds. In a partnership between the City of Fort Worth and Downtown Fort Worth Inc., the skyline will be dimmed every night through May 31 from midnight to 6 a.m.

As part of a nationwide initiative called Lights Out, the goal is to protect the billions of birds as they migrate across the United States — one of the largest migrations on the planet and one that occurs primarily at night. Light from buildings, especially in urban areas, attracts and disorients these migrating birds, confusing and exhausting them and making them vulnerable to collisions with buildings.

According to research done by the Cornell University Lab of Ornithology and Lights Out Texas, Texas is globally important for birds. Approximately one of every three birds migrating through the U.S. fly through Texas.

“The Cornell Lab and our partners are the leaders in this effort,” said Cody Whittenburg, environmental manager for the City of Fort Worth. “This is a great educational opportunity for our entire community to take one proactive step to protect these migrating bird populations. Turning the lights out in other populated areas of the city such as shopping centers and outdoor sports venues will also make a huge contribution.”