Southeast Idaho Dark Sky Alliance

03/26/2026

That bright light outside your home might not be making you safer.

Glare from harsh, unshielded lights can actually make it harder to see, create deep shadows, and reduce the effectiveness of cameras. More light isn’t better... better light is better.

Smart lighting points down, reduces glare, and only uses what’s needed. It protects your property and your ability to enjoy your space at night.

This isn’t about taking lights away,it’s about using them right.

Support safer, smarter lighting. Sign the petition.

Enact light pollution ordinances in Idaho Falls

03/18/2026

Brighter lights don’t always mean better visibility.

Some of the brightest lights around town don’t actually improve visibility, they create glare, spill into neighboring homes, and light up the sky.
Good lighting isn’t about blasting as much light as possible. It’s about putting light where it’s needed. Shielded, downward lighting can improve safety without turning someone else’s home into daylight at night.

This is something I’ve been hearing about from a lot of people around Idaho Falls, which is why there’s a local petition focused on encouraging smarter lighting as our community grows.

Have you seen lighting like this around town?

https://www.change.org/DarkSky_Idaho

03/16/2026

Most outdoor lighting is actually wasted.

Since launching the lighting petition for Idaho Falls, I’ve heard a lot of questions and concerns, so I want to clear up a few misconceptions.

One concern I’ve heard from several people is cost. Whether lighting guidelines would force homeowners or businesses to spend money replacing their lights.

Lighting ordinances like the one proposed allow changes to happen over time as fixtures are replaced or upgraded. No one is required to immediately replace existing lighting.

In many cases, better lighting design doesn’t cost more. Shielded fixtures and properly aimed lights often use less energy and reduce wasted light, which can actually save money in the long run.

The goal isn’t to create a financial burden. It’s simply to encourage lighting that works for safety while being considerate of neighbors and the environment as our community grows.

If you haven't done so, please sign our petition.

https://www.change.org/DarkSky_Idaho

03/11/2026

How would you like this shining into your backyard every night?

This is exactly the kind of lighting people across our community are dealing with; bright, unshielded lights spilling directly onto neighboring properties. It impacts sleep, privacy, and the simple ability to enjoy your own home at night.

Lighting should serve a purpose, not become a nuisance.

Over 100 people have already signed our petition asking Idaho Falls leaders to adopt smarter lighting guidelines that protect residents while still allowing businesses to light their property responsibly.

Add your voice and help us bring common-sense lighting to our community.

https://www.change.org/DarkSky_Idaho

03/09/2026

The video below shows how light pollution has grown across Southeast Idaho over time.

The good news is that light pollution is reversible. With better lighting policies and smarter fixtures, communities can reduce wasted light and restore darker skies.

Let’s start making that change in Idaho Falls. Sign the petition to encourage our local leaders to adopt responsible lighting policies that protect our night skies while still keeping our community safe.

https://www.change.org/DarkSky_Idaho

03/04/2026

Bright lights shining into your yard or windows shouldn’t be something you just have to live with.
I started a petition asking the city to adopt common-sense lighting standards that protect residents from glare and light trespass.

This isn’t about removing lights. It’s about smarter lighting; shielded, properly aimed lights that keep areas safe without spilling into other people’s homes or yards.

Better lighting protects property rights, reduces wasted energy, and helps preserve Idaho’s night sky.

If you support practical, respectful lighting in our community, please take a moment to sign the petition.

Enact light pollution ordinances in Idaho Falls

03/03/2026

The night sky we grew up with is at risk and the decision is happening right now.

The FCC is reviewing two major satellite proposals that could permanently brighten and crowd our skies.

Reflect Orbital wants to launch mirror satellites that would beam sunlight back to Earth at night adding artificial light from space.

SpaceX has proposed launching up to one million satellites described as orbital data centers, dramatically increasing objects in low Earth orbit and further impacting dark skies and astronomy.
These decisions could permanently change how the stars look or whether we can see them at all.

Public comment deadlines March 9th. The window to act is short.

If you care about protecting natural darkness, now is the time to speak up.

In the United States, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the agency responsible for authorizing satellite launches and operations…

05/05/2025

Bright security lights can make it harder to see people due to excessive glare. Check out the video below

Bright LED security light obscures a pedestrian walking in front of it...and the reflection on the neighboring building does too!

04/18/2025

Moths might not get the same spotlight as bees, but they’re powerful pollinators. Research shows they can pollinate flowers even faster than bees during their nightly rounds.

By turning off unnecessary lights at night, we can give moths the dark skies they need to thrive and do their important work. Let's keep the night wild and buzzing.

Interested in learning more? Be sure to attend Dr. Avalon Owens upcoming webinar exploring how outdoor lighting affects insects and which lighting choices actually help (spoiler: it’s not always the ones you think).

Visit https://bit.ly/3EpAVvE to register.

Date: April 22, 2025
Time: 11:00 a.m. PDT

04/14/2025

Artificial lights confuse and disorient migrating birds—and it’s deadly. Every year, millions of birds die after veering off course or colliding with buildings lit up at night.

Want to be part of the solution? 🌙 Join our upcoming webinar: "Artificial Light’s Exacerbation of Bird-Glass Collisions: How Dark Skies Can Save Lives" on April 23rd at 11:00 a.m. PDT.

Learn what you can do to help birds travel safely. Visit https://bit.ly/4j36PNv to register.

04/09/2025

A future where we can see the stars is in reach! Light pollution is reversible. Cities and towns worldwide have already proven that smart lighting choices can bring back the night sky.

Let’s create a world where everyone has access to the wonder of a naturally dark sky. 🌍💙

Every light turned off, every shielded fixture, every DarkSky Advocate makes a difference.

Will you be part of the change? Check out our new DarkSky Approved Luminaires Program by visiting https://bit.ly/4i7qfzD

📷 Photo credit: Lampas / Clear Sky Astro Photo