Unnecessary and poorly thought-out outdoor lighting fixtures create glare and reduce our ability to see after dark. These same lights have erased the stars in the sky for many of us in Texas and across the United States. This is silently affecting plants, animals, and humans. Now more than ever, we need collective, cumulative action to reverse this trend. As a landowner in Texas, your lighting choices can help improve visibility for humans and restore the night sky that we’re losing in many places. Smart adaptations to your residential or commercial property will allow you to BE A STAR© in this new movement to reduce light pollution.
The BE A STAR© AWARD
The BE A STAR© award recognizes property owners in Texas who commit to following the Five Principles of Responsible Outdoor Lighting. These guidelines allow landowners to eliminate glare and light trespass on their properties and minimize their contribution to skyglow and light pollution.
To meet the BE A STAR© criteria, your property should:
- Use only the outdoor lighting that is necessary and fulfills a specific purpose
- Keep all lighting fixtures shielded and directed where needed
- Use timers and motion sensors to control the lights or turn them off when not in use
- Stick to the lowest amount of lumens necessary
- Have warm (yellow) lights, not blue or white ones.
These steps may sound complex, but our application process will guide you through each step of our self-assessment. As you tick every box, you will apply our 5 Principles across your property.
Why Should You BE A STAR©?
Whenever someone decides to BE A STAR, their land becomes part of something much bigger. Lot by lot, we are reclaiming the skies following decades of encroaching light pollution. This program already covers 23,000 acres across 22 counties in Texas alone.
But to truly make a difference, we need to continue growing. We need more STARS!
After enrolling in the BE A STAR program, we will send you a sign you can display on your property. This will give you much-deserved bragging rights in your community and help position you as a beacon of change in your area.
Plus, it will be a great conversation starter! Whenever someone asks about the sign, our STARS will get to stress the importance of responsible lighting with friends, family, and neighbors. You may even take the opportunity to promote the program in local newspapers!
Ultimately, to BE A STAR goes beyond aiming your lights and turning them off when no one is around. It will make you a beacon of knowledge and change in your neighborhood. This is exactly what we need to bring back the clear skies of old and see better when we do need lights.
Ready for the Next Step?
To earn this award, landowners must conduct a self-assessment of their property and fill out an application. You can start the process HERE.
