Dark skies practices are crucial around cottage lakes. They preserve the natural environment and the splendor of the night sky. Light pollution disrupts nocturnal wildlife behaviours, harming our local ecosystems. It also obscures views of stars and other celestial bodies, diminishing our connection to the cosmos. Shoreline light is reflected and magnified across the water and impacts your neighbours.

Town of Huntsville and Township of Lake of Bays by-laws regulate outdoor illumination to ensure responsible lighting, mitigate light pollution and conserve the night environment. 

View Huntsville by-law.  View Lake of Bays by-law.

Minimizing light pollution begins at home:

• Use outdoor lighting where and when it’s needed, in the amount required, and no more.
• Light the ground, not the sky. Use shielded (aka full cut-off) fixtures that only shine downwards.
•  Utilize controls such as timers or motion sensors. 
•   Use light bulbs that do not emit violet and blue light as this is harmful to wildlife. (Reference: Light pollution has cut humanity’s ancient connection with the stars – but we can restore it by Or Graur)

The night sky is an essential part of our natural heritage. Ensure your outdoor lighting is dark-sky friendly. Visit the International Dark-Sky Association website for more information.

The Lake of Bays Heritage Foundation (LBHF) wants to raise everyone's awareness about the proper use of outdoor lighting.

The issue of light pollution exists in many places. A dark sky full of stars is a wonder that everyone enjoys, from the youngest children to the oldest of adults.

If you think about it, the night sky is an important part of our natural heritage. But with excessive outdoor lighting, even the stars are an endangered species. One unshielded light seen a mile away is many times brighter than the brightest stars in the sky. Those lights act collectively to reduce the stars and change Muskoka.

Muskoka is taking action

Muskoka has been a leader in protecting dark skies. Canada's first dark sky park is at Torrance Barrens. Our Township of Lake of Bays has bylaws that require lighting be aimed downward.

Excessive lighting wastes energy too

Outdoor lighting is one of the most inefficient uses of energy today. An outdoor light fixture that scatters light everywhere is like running your air conditioner with the windows open. Don't be a lighting litterbug.

With good lighting, we all win

There are many good reasons for artificial lighting at night. The judicious use of lighting can enhance safety and security. Lighting stairs or a driveway can make sense.  We want people to light the ground, not the sky. Any dock lights should aim down and be used only when needed.  Below we offer ideas for good lighting.  We hope you will consider them. 

Solutions that protect the beauty of our night skies

Use only good lighting. Quality designs are really just common sense approaches to lighting and how you use it. Let's educate ourselves about the principles of good outdoor lighting.

Use less lighting

Some architects and builders do not think of dark skies when they design structures. The result can be more fixtures than needed or placement of lights in inefficient places.

Eliminate glare

Glare never helps visibility, but it is a common form of light pollution. If a light is blinding, then it is too bright for the intended purpose. Glare becomes even more difficult as you get older. Solutions include lower wattage bulbs, fixtures that aim down or tinted or opaque glass.

Shine the light down

It is best to purchase light fixtures that have a covered top or that funnel the light toward the ground area. Water reflects light the most, so apply this thinking to your dock too.

Don't mount lights too high

Lights that are on high poles or mounted on trees stand out on the horizon and often spill light over neighbours and unintended places.

Use motion sensors or timers

These features will ensure the light is there when you need it but not all the time. A motion sensor light still offers a sense of security. A timer ensures the light isn't wasting electricity when it is not needed.

Use lower wattage bulbs or dimmers

We often light areas as if we are trying to water a flower pot with a lawn sprinkler. By reviewing your outdoor lights for brightness, you can save energy costs and save our stars at the same time.

Consider your neighbours

Conduct a lighting self-assessment of your property for what your neighbours see at night. This includes next door neighbours and those across the water. Just like not playing music that is too loud, we suggest lights that are not too bright.

Thank you for thinking about dark skies. Let's save our stars!