Dark Skies
What?
Artificial light can unintentionally harm wildlife. Many species — from bats and moths to migrating birds — rely on natural darkness to feed, navigate and rest. Bright lighting can disorient or trap them, breaking up essential nocturnal routes. By adjusting how we light our buildings and streets, we can reclaim the night sky and restore balance for people and nature.
Where?
Everywhere: around buildings, car parks, signage, paths and gardens. On the Isle of Wight, even small amounts of light from villages, farms or coastal resorts can fragment the dark corridors that connect feeding and roosting areas across our Biosphere landscape. For site-specific actions, check out the Isle of Wight Habitat Map, and find out what is particularly special around your garden or space.
How?
Keep it dark where possible. Switch off unnecessary lights overnight — ideally, none at all.
Use low-level, warm-coloured lighting (under 3000 K) to reduce glare and blue light that disturbs insects and bats.
Angle lights downward and fit shields or hoods to prevent upward or sideways spill.
Install timers or motion sensors so lights come on only when needed.
Avoid floodlighting trees, ponds, walls or hedgerows used by wildlife for feeding or shelter.
Add night-flowering plants such as Nicotiana, Night-scented Stock, Honeysuckle, Jasmine and Evening Primrose to attract moths — and the bats that feed on them.
Plan lighting as habitat design. Keep “dark corridors” between green spaces and along hedgerows, tree lines and rivers.
When?
Lighting changes can be made at any time, but assess your space at night first to identify dark zones and wildlife routes. Avoid major outdoor lighting or façade work during the breeding and rearing season (March–August) for bats and birds.
Why?
Preserving darkness is one of the simplest, most effective ways to help wildlife and save energy. Reducing artificial light supports nocturnal food webs, lowers carbon emissions and reveals the Island’s beautiful starlit skies — a defining feature of our UNESCO Biosphere. Thoughtful lighting design also creates calmer, healthier places for people.
Actions for Isle of Wight Species
Bats depend on dark corridors along hedgerows and tree lines to reach feeding grounds.
Moths and nocturnal beetles are essential pollinators but are disoriented or killed by bright lights.
Owls hunt more effectively in low-light landscapes.
Hedgehogs and amphibians move safely through unlit gardens and verges.
Observe and Record
Take photos before and after — even a few months apart shows change.
Note what wildlife visits: bees, birds, butterflies, mosses.
Watching your patch change is part of the recovery story — and your records can feed into the Island’s Local Nature Recovery data.
Resources
“Supports LNRS goals to reduce light pollution and disturbance to nocturnal species: UGG1.4 Urban pollution control.”