UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Visitors to the Penn State University Park campus on Saturday, May 13, can expect to see lights at Old Main, the Bryce Jordan Center and The Arboretum at Penn State go dark in observance of World Migratory Bird Day.  

Both individuals and businesses throughout campus and the local community are encouraged to take the pledge to go “lights out” from midnight to 6 a.m. on May 13.  

“Old Main, one of the most recognizable and historic buildings on the Penn State University Park campus and in State College, will be turning off its lights in honor of Migratory Bird Day this spring,” said Philip Melnick, senior director of buildings and grounds at Penn State’s Office of the Physical Plant. “This initiative is designed to engage both State College residents and Penn Staters alike in affirming their commitment to protecting migratory birds through simple individual efforts. Business owners and residents are all encouraged to take the borough’s pledge to turn their lights off this May 13.”  

The initiative is part of “Lights Out State College,” a partnership between Sustainable State College, the Sustainability Institute at Penn State (SI), and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which hopes to develop opportunities across both town and gown for community-wide educational opportunities and celebrations regarding migratory bird season. SI, the Arboretum, Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center, the Bryce Jordan Center and the Office of Physical Plant are all planning to participate in the effort throughout migratory season this spring.  

“The Sustainability Institute at Penn State is excited to support the Inaugural 'Lights Out State College' Initiative,” said Lara Fowler, interim director of the Sustainability Institute at Penn State and interim chief sustainability officer. 

“Many of us have heard the expression, ‘birds of a feather flock together,’ but also, most birds migrate at night, and they stick with their flock by calling out to each other through the darkness. This initiative supports safe flights for migratory bird populations, with this part of Central Pennsylvania being a really important part of global migration," said Fowler. "By taking small actions like turning off lights during spring and fall migration seasons, we can make a big difference in protecting our natural world and creating a more sustainable future.” For a sense of how many birds are passing through this area, the BirdCast Migration Dashboard offers a snapshot.

On April 3, Borough Council President Jesse Barlow adopted Resolution 1351 proclaiming May 13 as World Migratory Bird Day in the Borough of State College. In Canada and the United States, World Migratory Bird Day occurs twice a year, at the peak of both the spring and fall migration seasons (this year on May 13 and Oct. 14), when approximately 900 million birds travel through Pennsylvania seeking prime ecological conditions to breed, nest and raise their young. The campaign brings awareness to the protection and conservation of these birds and is coordinated by the nonprofit Environment for the Americas in partnership with the Convention on Migratory Species and the African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbird Agreement. 

State College Borough encourages residents and commercial properties to sign the pledge to help minimize artificial and unnecessary lighting and help raise awareness about this issue. To sign up to participate, visit the Lights Out State College page.   

The Arboretum, as well as the Bryce Jordan Center, will be turning off their outdoor lights on May 12-13 to help raise awareness of the impact of artificial light on migrating birds. 

“We always talk about shining a light on things — here’s an opportunity for us to illuminate a world problem simply by turning off our lights,” said Arboretum Director Casey Sclar. 

Sclar said the Arboretum already keeps its lights off most nights to protect birds — and insects. 

The Arboretum’s three-acre Pollinator and Bird Garden was designed to attract both resident and migratory birds and insect pollinator species with extensive beds of pollinator- and bird-friendly plants, water features, beehives, agricultural beds and an orchard. 

Shaver’s Creek works to minimize light pollution all year round, said Joshua Potter, associate director of operations. Lights in the environmental center’s parking areas all face downward and are off unless there is an event, and building lights are on timers and turn off automatically at night. Large windows at the center are striped to keep birds from flying into them, and smaller windows are marked with dots and tape, Potter said.  

Shaver’s Creek offers free guided “Migration Morning” bird walks in spring and fall. The final spring hike was held May 10. 

Penn Staters interested in learning more about avian migratory patterns throughout the commonwealth can follow SI’s social media (@sustainpsu) on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok and Twitter for fun facts, blogs and informational content throughout both the spring and fall migratory bird seasons. Educational content also will be posted on digital signage throughout the University Park campus. 

Leading up to Spring Migratory Bird Day, the Borough of State College also is hosting a series of events that are free and open to the public:  

• The State College Municipal Building is hosting an information table and poster display about migratory birds in the lobby until May 14. Stop by for free educational brochures, coloring pages, stickers, bookmarks and more.  

• Learn more about migratory birds that utilize the trees in downtown State College for habitat by participating in the State College Tree and Bird Walk from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on May 13. Click here to register for the Tree and Bird Walk.

• Beginning May 13, Schlow Centre Region Library will have a book curation on birds.  

Visit Sustainable State College for more information or to attend an event.