Why are State College, Penn State landmarks going dark Saturday? Learn about the cause
Several landmarks in State College are turning their lights off this weekend to help raise awareness and protect migratory birds.
At Penn State, Old Main, the Arboretum and the Bryce Jordan Center will each go dark between midnight and 6 a.m. Saturday. Citing a pledge to go “lights out,” university officials say the move aims to help raise awareness and address human-caused bird mortalities.
“Old Main, one of the most recognizable and historic buildings on the Penn State University Park campus and in State College, will be turning off its lights in honor of Migratory Bird Day this spring,” Philip Melnick, senior director of buildings and grounds at Penn State’s Office of the Physical Plant, said in a statement. “This initiative is designed to engage both State College residents and Penn Staters alike in affirming their commitment to protecting migratory birds through simple individual efforts. Business owners and residents are all encouraged to take the borough’s pledge to turn their lights off this May 13.”
Penn State’s initiative comes as part of “Lights Out State College” — a wide-ranging partnership between several groups within Penn State and the State College borough, plus the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The campaign hopes to improve town-and-gown efforts for educational opportunities and celebrations surrounding migratory bird season.
According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, migratory birds are attracted to artificial light sources that can cause confusion, disorientation and exhaustion, often affecting their ability to successfully migrate. The agency recommends turning off unnecessary interior and exterior building lights during peak migration season, which stretches from roughly late April through mid-May each spring.
“Many of us have heard the expression, ‘birds of a feather flock together,’ but also, most birds migrate at night, and they stick with their flock by calling out to each other through the darkness,” Lara Fowler, interim director of the Sustainability Institute at Penn State, said in a statement. “This initiative supports safe flights for our local migratory bird populations. By taking small actions like turning off lights during spring and fall migration seasons, we can make a big difference in protecting our natural world and creating a more sustainable future.”
Hummingbirds are migrating back to Pennsylvania. When to spot them, set up your feeder
World Migratory Bird Day events
The State College Borough Council adopted a resolution in April that proclaimed May 13 as World Migratory Bird Day in State College.
In Canada and the U.S., World Migratory Bird Day occurs twice a year to recognize the peak of the spring and fall migration seasons. This year, those dates fall May 13 and Oct. 14, respectively.
Each migration season brings approximately 900 million birds through Pennsylvania while seeking the proper conditions to breed, nest and raise their young, Penn State says.
Community members and businesses are encouraged to sign an online pledge to participate in the campaign by reducing artificial lighting and raising awareness about the issue.
You can also stop by the State College Municipal Building at 243 S. Allen St. to learn more about migratory birds. There, you’ll find an information table and poster display featuring free educational brochures, coloring pages, stickers, bookmarks and more through Sunday.
Additionally, the State College Tree and Bird Walk returns from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday. Schlow Centre Region Library will also debut a book curation on birds starting the same day.
