Light Pollution: Causes and What Can be Done to Reduce It?

Message from Vicki Woods (Friends of Boshkung, Facebook, June 23. 2025)

An article from FOCA (Federation of Ontario Cottagers' Associations) has me re-thinking my dock lighting. Here are some points I'm considering:

Many of us love the calm beauty of our lakes at night—and lighting up the dock can feel cozy and safe, and help us find our way back to our cottages. But keeping lights on all night can unintentionally harm the very creatures we cherish in and around the water.

Bright lights disrupt natural rhythms for fish, frogs, turtles, insects, and even birds. Fish can become confused, gathering near lit areas where they’re easy prey. Frogs may stop calling or mating. Insects—like mayflies and moths—get drawn in, exhausted, or eaten, throwing off the balance of the ecosystem. Even bats and migratory birds can lose their way due to nighttime glare.

These lights create what scientists call an “ecological trap”—making animals think it’s a good place to be, when it’s actually dangerous.

Luckily, it’s easy to help. If you need dock lights, consider motion sensors or timers. Choose downward-facing, shielded fixtures, and go for amber or red tones—they’re less disruptive to wildlife. Even just turning them off before bed makes a difference.

We like to post articles about lake health on our website [blpoa.ca](http://blpoa.ca/). Check it out for information about lighting options, and studies about dark skies and waters. If you have some that you would like to recommend, please let me know!

Together, we can keep our lakes safe, dark, and full of life.

Thanks for caring for the lake and all its creatures!