MIDS Talk at Headlands Intl Dark Sky Park
Fri, June 19, 7:00pm: Sally Oey will present by live videocon on “The Importance of Michigan Dark Skies” at Headlands International Dark Sky Park (not in person).
Environment
Fireflies face extinction due to light pollution
USA Today reports a new study that shows that fireflies are facing a triple extinction threat from habitat loss, artificial light and pesticide use.
New IDA Dark Sky Park in Michigan!
Dr. T.K. Lawless County Park in southwest Michigan has been designated an International Dark Sky Park by the International Dark-Sky Association! Together with Headlands, our state now has two IDA Dark Sky Parks and six state-designated dark sky reserves.
New Detroit sign ordinance to release flood of digital billboards
Detroit is positioned to adopt a new sign ordinance that would blanket the city with out-of-control digital signs and billboards. It will permit new electronic and video signage in almost every corner of the city, flooding the skies with light. Learn more and register your disapproval via Scenic Michigan’s campaign.
Light pollution causes decline of insects
Confirmed: Artificial light at night may be responsible for collapse of insect populations: Light pollution is key ‘bringer of insect apocalypse’
Bat-friendly streetlights in England
Worcestershire County, UK has installed red lights on a stretch of road to support a bat migration corridor: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-hereford-worcester-49534621
Sky glow affecting Key Biodiversity Areas
A new study shows that more than 2/3 of designated Key Biodiversity Areas in the world are impacted by light pollution, in some cases severely: https://zslpublications.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/acv.12480
