The Quinebaug and Shetucket Rivers Valley of northeastern Connecticut and south-central Massachusetts has been called “the Last Green Valley” in the sprawling metropolitan Boston-to-Washington corridor. The region appears distinctively dark in the urban and suburban glow when viewed at night from satellites or aircraft.  (See what this looks like from space).

Artificial nighttime lighting affects biological rhythms of humans and animals. It also reduces our ability to see the night sky.

The lack of high amounts of night time lighting is evident even without fancy technology.  Just go outside at night and see how many stars are visible.  Glittery views like that are not available in a city.  All this can change if attention isn’t paid to effects of light straying from its intended area, otherwise known as light pollution.  As more and more people move into the area, there is an increased potential for a compounding effect. 

Even more subtle things bare further investigation.  Some early research indicates that tiny invertebrates called rotifers that live in our lakes may be impacted by night time lighting used around lake front homes.  These microscopic predators, which in turn are fed upon by fish, have a daily migration pattern tuned to light and dark cycles.  Night time lighting shining on the water confuses them and may have impacts on lake ecology.  More studies are being done on this subject.

Night time outdoor light pollution is a significant and growing problem worldwide, in both rural and urbanized areas.  Artificial nighttime lighting affects biological rhythms of humans and animals. It also reduces our ability to see the night sky.  Some towns have regulations on night time lighting, such as the requirement in Woodstock that “No sign illumination shall be permitted between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m."  

Here are some simple things that can be done to reduce light pollution:

• Install energy-efficient, fully-shielded lighting fixtures outdoors. They reduce glare by directing light downward where it is needed.
• Install lights only where necessary, and use motion-detection fixtures if possible.
• Position outdoor light fixtures so they uniformly illuminate the intended area.
• Use high-efficiency lamps when possible. They last longer and use less energy than regular lamps. Look for low-pressure or high-pressure sodium lamps with full-cutoff luminaires.
• For post-style lamps, use a fixture with an opaque top to help direct light downward.
• For billboards and signs that are illuminated at night, use top-mounted lights that are focused downward onto the board.
• Do not create "light trespass" onto neighboring areas.
• Do not turn on lights when they are not needed.

For more information see http://www.woodstockconservation.org/lightpollution.htm.