Along the Outer Banks, there is a building movement to reduce artificial lighting that negatively impacts wildlife and enhances environmental stewardship.
Jennette’s Pier recently transformed its nighttime outline with 200 new shielded amber lighting fixtures, which ultimately creates less light pollution. “This specific color temperature is far less disruptive to insects, bats, birds, and most importantly along the oceanfront, sea turtles,” notes Mike Remige, Director at Jennette’s Pier and a member of the Dare County Tourism Board’s LRTMP Special Committee. “It also reduces eye strain for people, better preserving our night vision.” Phase 2 of the project will include the replacement of the 29 tall parking lot lights as more funds become available.
The Town of Duck’s Dark Sky Ordinance is another example of a commitment to preserving the natural environment as it strives to enhance the quality of life for its residents and protect local wildlife by reducing light pollution. Other towns, including Nags Head, have also taken steps to adjust lights at several beach accesses in recent years that limits disturbances to sea turtle hatchlings and other beach dwelling animals. The National Park Service has also retrofitted approximately 400 outdoor lights over the past several years along Cape Hatteras National Seashore to reduce light pollution and has taken initial steps of a rigorous process to be designated an International Dark Sky Place.
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