Bring Back the Stars: Please Support Palo Alto’s Dark Sky Ordinance!
What is happening
On Monday, November 10, the Palo Alto City Council will consider adopting a Dark Sky (Outdoor Lighting) Ordinance.
This ordinance would set important limits on outdoor lighting to protect migrating birds, nocturnal wildlife, and human health, while saving energy and restoring our view of the stars.
It follows best practices from the International Dark-Sky Association and the Illuminating Engineering Society, ensuring that outdoor lighting is shielded, controlled, and used only where and when it’s needed without compromising safety or commerce.
Why is it important
Light Pollution Harms Birds, Insects, and Ecosystems
Artificial light at night affects every level of food webs and ecosystems.
Birds: Many species migrate at night, guided by the moon and stars. Bright, unshielded lighting disorients them, drawing birds into urban areas where collisions with glass and illuminated structures are often fatal.
Insects: Insects are irresistibly drawn to lights, where they circle until they die from exhaustion or are taken by predators. Because insects are vital prey for birds, bats, and other wildlife, insect declines ripple up the food web.
By controlling outdoor lighting Palo Alto can reduce bird collisions and insect mortality, restoring healthier ecosystems along the Pacific Flyway.
Light Pollution Harms People, Too
Artificial light at night disrupts sleep, mood, and hormone balance, and has been linked to insomnia, depression, metabolic disease, and cancer risks. Glare from over-lighting can even make streets less safe by reducing contrast and night vision.
For thousands of years, people have looked up at the stars for meaning and inspiration. Today, most children never see the Milky Way, even as they sing “Twinkle, twinkle, little star.”
Restoring natural darkness restores our health and our sense of wonder.
What You Can Do
Email the City Council TODAY
Urge Mayor Lauing and the Council to adopt a strong, science-based Dark Sky Ordinance.
To: City.Council@PaloAlto.gov
Subject: 11/10/25 Agenda Item 8: Please adopt a strong outdoor lighting ordinance
Body (suggested points):
Say a few words about who you are and why you care.
Share any experience with nuisance light affecting your home or neighborhood.
Ask the Council to adopt a strong ordinance to protect birds, people, and our night sky.
Speak at the Council Meeting or Cede Your Time to our Advocates
Give a brief public comment or cede your time to SCVBA advocates at the City Council meeting on November 10 (likely after 10 PM).
Zoom: https://cityofpaloalto.zoom.us/j/362027238
If you can cede time, please email Shani at advocate@scvbirdalliance.org.
All living beings deserve nights free from unnecessary light. Together, we can protect birds, insects, and people—and let the night sky shine again over Palo Alto.
Thank you,