'Lights Out Oklahoma' campaign aims to protect migrating birds

As hundreds of birds migrate north this spring, a new campaign is calling on Oklahomans to turn out their lights to protect their travel.

The "Lights Out Oklahoma" campaign encourages homes and businesses to turn off or dim nonessential lights between the hours of 11 p.m. and 6 a.m.

The Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden joined the Oklahoma Animal Coalition in the project to raise awareness about how light pollution affects migration.

The zoo's senior director of conservation, education, and science, Dr. Rebecca Snyder, says it can cause major challenges for birds flying to or through the state.

"As light pollution increases throughout our cities, towns, and neighborhoods, it’s significantly impacting birds," Dr. Snyder says. "Their flight patterns are being disrupted, and more birds are colliding with buildings and power lines."

Researchers also say it can cause birds to become separated from others. They often use the energy needed for travel to find them.

The campaign encourages Oklahomans to participate throughout peak migration season, now through May 15.