The BOLD Initiative is a DarkSky Texas program to inspire, educate, and empower conservation-minded Texas organizations and landholders to reduce light pollution and wasted energy, and amplify the benefits of better lighting practices.
Did You Know...
Approximately 35% of light is wasted by unshielded or poorly aimed outdoor lighting!
This adds up to about three billion dollars in energy lost to light pollution in the United States alone. To make matters worse, about 15 million tons of carbon dioxide is emitted to power that wasted outdoor lighting causing direct harm to the environment.
Texas is losing its big and bright stars at night. By minimizing the impact of outdoor lighting, Texas will protect living things on which true conservation of land and water depends, restore natural nighttime skies where they are being hidden by sky glow, and promote astronomy-based education, recreation, and tourism.
Implementation of the Five Principles of Responsible Outdoor Lighting can reduce outdoor energy usage by 50% to 95%!
Additional benefits of following these guidelines are worth the effort and include:
✅ Improved nighttime visibility, making everyone safer.
✅ Reduced health issues.
✅ Decreased energy consumption, saving money.
✅ Diminished harm to animals and plants.
✅ Bigger and brighter shining Texas stars.
The BOLD initiative recognizes, applauds, and promotes partners as exceptional Texas citizens who provide the light their visitors and employees need while being good stewards of the earth. Each property owned by a BOLD initiative member will be eligible for the Be A Star Award when they come into compliance with the Five Principles of Responsible Outdoor Lighting. Carefully designed outdoor lighting is a win-win for everyone.
Join us in our mission to combat light pollution across the Lone Star State.
Imagine the domino effect of having public attractions and spaces being the shining examples of better lighting and at the same time providing information on why and how it can be done with every outdoor light. This initiative is a huge educational rollout to the entire state which can amplify the benefits of better lighting practices many times over.
If you are a conservation minded organization, business, large landholder, club, nonprofit, or governmental entity, then Texas needs your help! Here are the benefits of joining the BOLD Initiative:
1. Reduce your energy usage and artificial light footprint.
2. Get customized light pollution reduction educational materials for your employees to reach your Environmental Social Governance (ESG) goals!
3. DarkSky Texas will promote your light pollution reduction accomplishments.
Complete the Form to Get Started
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