Rooted in Darkness: Responsible Lighting to Support Native Plants and Biodiversity

For millions of years, the natural world has thrived on the predictable rhythms of daylight and darkness. While we rest, nature's nocturnal realm comes to life, with at least 30% of vertebrates and 60% of invertebrates active at night. Native plants rely on the length of day and night to regulate flowering, germination, leaf shedding, and pollination. Recent studies reveal that the growth of artificial light at night is increasing sky brightness by 10% each year, creating stress on fragile ecosystems.

Don Ficken - Founder of DarkSky Missouri and Lights Out Heartland and a certified Missouri Master Naturalist and Pollinator Steward - will discuss the fascinating world of nature at night and how adopting responsible lighting practices can safeguard Missouri's ecosystems and your native landscape.

The presenter for this program is Don Ficken:

Don is a conservation leader dedicated to advancing science education and environmental stewardship. He founded DarkSky Missouri and Lights Out Heartland, a multi-state initiative focused on protecting migratory birds from light pollution. As a certified Missouri Master Naturalist and Missouri Pollinator Steward, Don also volunteers with the St. Louis Audubon Society's Bring Conservation Home program, promoting native habitat restoration throughout the region.

Through his work, Don inspires communities to rediscover the wonders of nature at night - and to safeguard Missouri's ecosystems through thoughtful, responsible lighting practices.

This class is in partnership with Wild Ones St Charles Area Chapter, a nonprofit organization designed to promote the understanding of native plants, their benefits, and what they can provide for the environment both in private as well as public areas of landscaping.