RESOLUTION NO. 260331
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Sponsor: Councilmember Johnathan Duncan
RESOLUTION - Declaring the week of April 13-20, 2026, as International Dark Sky Week, raising awareness in protecting the night sky and the use of responsible outdoor lighting across Kansas City, and directing the City Manager to turn off external City Hall lights from sunset to sunrise.
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WHEREAS, the aesthetic beauty and wonder of a natural night sky is a shared heritage of all humankind and the experience of standing under a starry night sky inspires feelings of wonder and awe, encouraging an interest in science and nature, especially for young people; and
WHEREAS, the economic and environmental consequences of over-lighting include negative impacts on the ecosystem, energy consumption, public safety, and human health; and
WHEREAS, 80 percent of the world’s population lives under a dome of light pollution-excessive artificial lighting at night that disrupts natural darkness - wasting natural resources amounting to roughly $3 billion per year in the United States alone; and
WHEREAS, skyglow - the fog of artificial light over cities - attracts migrating birds from afar, causing disorientation, exhaustion and disruption to their life cycle and Kansas City, Missouri is in the middle of the Mississippi and Central Flyways, the busiest migratory corridors for migrating birds in North America; and
WHEREAS, Kansas City ranks in the top 10 deadliest US cities for birds, demonstrating the importance of turning off non-essential lights during migration season from March-May and August-October; and
WHEREAS, smart technologies such as dimmers, timers, and motion sensors, allow for enhanced efficiency and responsible use of outdoor lighting, protecting the night sky and wildlife; and; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF KANSAS CITY:
That the Mayor and Council hereby declare April 13-20, 2026, as International Dark Sky Week in Kansas City; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this Resolution be spread upon the Minutes of the Council in testimony thereof and that a copy hereof be presented to Tessa Poolman, Director of Community Conservation Programs at the Missouri River Bird Observatory, with the Mayor and Council encouraging all municipal building managers and residents to consider the benefits of responsible outdoor lighting in Kansas City, Missouri.
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