THe Problem
A billion birds migrate over the Bay Area every year as they journey from wintering grounds to breeding grounds, and back. Most bird species migrate at night, using the stars to navigate. Artificial lights from our cities and towns cause birds to collide with buildings, veer off course, and tire out, making them vulnerable to predators, starvation, and exhaustion.
Take the #Lights Out for Birds pledge today!
The SOlution
Go Lights Out With Us During Bird Migration!
This is a problem we can solve, keep birds on track so they make it home. You can help by turning off, dimming, or redirecting lights at night during migration periods in spring (February through May) and fall (August through October). Reach out to buildings, businesses, and workplaces to ask them to do the same. These easy steps will make a difference:
Exterior Lights:
- Turn off any unnecessary lighting
- Install motion sensors
- Down-shield lights wherever possible
Interior Lights:
- Reduce or turn off lobby and atrium lighting
- Turn off lights when rooms are not in use
- Pull blinds or drapes for rooms in use

/ Jocelyn Anderson


Why Lights Out?
Learn more about the benefits of turning off lights for birds, wildlife, and humans:
Thank you to these businesses and buildings for committing to Lights Out!
- 101 California Street, San Francisco
- Allsteel Inc., San Francisco
- Barker Pacific Group, Inc. San Francisco
- San Francisco Municipal Buildings and Agencies including:
- City Hall
- Dept.of the Environment, 1455 Market Street
- Dept.of Public Works 25 and 30 Van Ness and 1680 Mission Street
- Municipal Transportation Agency, One South Van Ness
- San Francisco Planning Dept., 1650 and 1680 Mission Street
- Public Defender, 555 7th Street
- Tishman Speyer, San Francisco
- Post Montgomery Associates, 1 Montgomery St. Ste. 2350