Join the Pajarito Environmental Education Center for a night walk in White Rock to learn more about lighting practices and how we can change our lighting infrastructure to lessen its effects on the environment, the night sky, wildlife and more. Photo Courtesy PEEC

Join the Pajarito Environmental Education Center for a night walk in White Rock on Saturday, Dec. 4 at 6:30 p.m. to learn more about outdoor lighting practices. Galen Gisler and Didier Saumon will lead this walk, which will take place in central White Rock. This walk is free to attend, but advance registration is required for this event at peecnature.org/events. The walk is limited to 10 participants, so sign up soon! Participants will meet at the White Rock Public Library.

Outdoor lighting is an important part of a town’s infrastructure that is often overlooked but has a broad impact. It is important for our safety, to conduct business and enjoy outdoor activities after dark and to create welcoming spaces at night. However, poor lighting practices have adverse effects on the environment, wildlife, human health and our ability to enjoy the night sky.

Participants will look at examples of good and bad lighting practices along roads, as well as business and residential lighting. Walkers will see and discuss the various types of light, glare and light trespass and put them in the context of changes in technology and the new outdoor lighting ordinance being developed by the County.

The walk will be less than 2 miles and is expected to take about an hour. It will take place on sidewalks and roads. Bring a flashlight, dress warmly and wear bright colors to be more visible at night.

Gisler and Saumon are both experienced amateur astronomers who advocate for the preservation of dark skies in the Jemez Mountains area and are longtime residents of Los Alamos County.

For more information about this and other PEEC programs, visit www.peecnature.org, email publicity@peecnature.org or call (505) 662-0460.