Every spring and fall, billions of birds take to the skies, navigating by stars, magnetic fields, and instincts honed over millions of years. But our nights are getting brighter, pulling birds off course, towards cities, and away from the habitats they need.

What if we could predict when and where migration is most intense and use that knowledge to turn off the lights at exactly the right moment? Ecological forecasting is making that possible. Drawing on radar data, weather models, and machine learning, researchers can now generate real-time forecasts that let us anticipate the pulse of bird movement before it happens. These tools are becoming a powerful lever for advocacy, helping cities, building managers, and utilities make smarter decisions about artificial light at night. In this free online talk, Dr. Kyle Horton will explore how migration forecasting works, what the data tells us about the cost of light pollution, and how you as birders and conservation advocates can use these insights in your own community. Learn more and register.

This presentation is co-hosted by Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance, SOS Save Our Songbirds, the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin and Lights Out Wisconsin.