Wildlife Sensitive Lighting Protecting the Wildlife We Love with the Right Wavelengths of Light
Confused and disoriented by traditional white lighting, which increases their risk of death, sea turtle hatchlings depend on natural moonlight to successfully navigate from their nests to the ocean. Long wavelengths of native amber light, including 590 nm, protect nesting populations by supporting this nest to ocean transition. Compliance guidelines issued by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) include lighting and are designed to protect nesting populations along Florida’s coastline, where 90% of sea turtle nesting occurs.
In addition to sea turtles, amber lighting helps protect other species of wildlife, including birds, frogs, bats, and small mammals. To optimize this protection, shielding, dimming, and timing controls should also be considered when lighting wildlife habitats.
