The use of LED technology and energy saving lighting fixtures are bringing with them an unintended, yet pervasive and harmful effect: the over-lighting of our nights. The symposium will focus on the biological and physical effects of lighting up the night and provide strategies that guard our health and environment while providing safe and practical lighting solutions.

The speakers are global experts on artificial light at night, light pollution and its impact on migratory birds, and solutions to reducing bird collisions.

Assemblymember Alex Lee of California's 25th District will be giving the introductory remarks for this event.

Travis Longcore, PhD – Dr. Longcore is Associate Adjunct Professor at the UCLA Institute of the Environment and Sustainability, Science Director of The Urban Wildlands Group, a Los Angeles-based conservation nonprofit, and an independent ecological design and environmental policy consultant. His research is focused on nature in cities, and his landmark article “Ecological Light Pollution” (Longcore and Rich 2004) and 2006 co-edited book Ecological Consequences of Artificial Night Lighting (Island Press) have come to define this new and rapidly growing research area in ecology.

Christine Sheppard, PhD – Dr. Sheppard is the Director of the Glass Collisions Program at the American Bird Conservancy (ABC). She established ABC's glass testing and evaluation program, which is the foundation for a LEED credit for reducing bird collisions. She has published and consulted on bird-friendly building design and related federal and local legislation for over 20 years.

John Barentine, PhD – Dr. Barentine is the Executive Officer and Principal Consultant at Dark Sky Consulting, LLC, a consultancy offering professional services in the areas of light pollution, dark skies and astronomy. He previously served as the International Dark Sky Places Program Manager and Director of Public Policy for the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA). He is a committee member of many dark sky and astronomical organizations.

Mary Coolidge – Ms. Coolidge is the BirdSafe & Lights Out Campaign Coordinator for Portland Audubon and was previously their Assistant Conservation Director. She is dedicated to making urban environments more hospitable to wildlife and helping connect people to nature. She splits her time between Center for Diversity & the Environment, the Oregon Zoo’s California Condor breeding facility, and Portland Audubon.