13/10/2026
Sometimes, what you don't light is just as important as what you do.
Earlier this year, our team had a really useful CPD session with Jennifer Kilian from Ecological Lighting Solutions, looking at how artificial lighting affects nocturnal wildlife and, in particular, how ecologists can work with lighting specialists to inform better design.
One of the key takeaways was that lighting needs to be considered as part of the ecological design process, not simply added at the end.
That got us thinking about something we see regularly in development projects.
Bats use features such as hedgerows, tree lines and watercourses to move through and forage within the landscape. Introducing artificial light into these previously dark areas can change how they use those routes.
And sometimes, the most wildlife-friendly solution isn't about adding more light.
It's about understanding where darkness needs to be retained.
On a recent project near Stroud, we advised on a sensitive lighting strategy designed to retain dark corridors and reduce potential impacts on bats and other nocturnal wildlife.
It's a good example of why collaboration between ecologists, lighting specialists and designers can make a real difference.
Good ecological design isn't just about what happens in daylight. It's about understanding how a site works after dark, too.
