Wildlife Friendly

Wildlife Friendly

IMPORTANCE OF WILDLIFE LIGHTING

For over a hundred million years sea turtles have been coming ashore to lay their eggs on beaches.  Hatchlings instinctively follow the brightest horizon to the water, usually the moon or sun reflecting off the water surface. As we populate more of our coastal areas, artificial light sources on beaches disorient female turtles coming to nest and their hatchlings, driving them inland where their chances of survival are slim to none.   

HOW ARTIFICIAL LIGHT INTERFERES WITH WILDLIFEBecause light from the sun or its reflection off the moon is composed of a spectrum of wavelengths closer to a white light, the best lighting to use shoreside would be longer wavelength emitting lights, such as true amber LEDs. Amber LEDs are less likely to be confused for the moon by turtles as they are dependent on the white light to identify the moon. The most effective solution is to install a recessed Amber LED light, which produces wavelengths of 590 nanometers with the main light source shielded from a head-on view. This way no light can mimic or win over the moon, and sea turtles are able to follow the right path back to sea.
According the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the criteria for Wildlife Lighting Certification is as follows:
Keep it LOW - mount the fixture as low as possible to minimize light trespass, and use the lowest amount of light needed for the task.
Keep it SHIELDED - fully shield the light so bulbs LEDs are not visible to minimize the amount of glare and light to the animals.
Keep it LONG - use long wavelength light sources (ambers and reds) in the appropriate lighting fixtures.

Zaniboni Lighting has developed the most effective and beautiful certified fixtures that meet or exceed FWC Wildlife Lighting criteria in order to provide solutions for any oceanfront property or project, and to do our part in ensuring the longevity of our ocean wildlife.