Synergy Lighting is a company that works closely with and strongly supports the efforts of the Turtle Conservancy, Mote Marine Laboratories, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Protecting the Sea Turtle species and other wildlife is a socially and commercially responsible act. Lighting pollution is a serious threat to many types of wildlife. Each year, artificial lights cause disruption of behavior, injury and death to thousands of migrating birds, sea turtles and other reptiles, amphibians, and mammals, and invertebrates. Only 1 in 10,000 Sea Turtle Hatch-Lings will survive.

The Basic Principles Of Turtle Friendly Lighting

Keep it LOW – Mount the fixture as low as possible to minimize light trespass, and use the lowest amount of light needed for the task

Keep it SHIELDED – Fully shield the light so bulbs and/or glowing lenses are not visible to minimize light trespass to beaches

Keep it LONG– Use long wavelength light sources (Amber’s and Red’s) in the appropriate lighting fixtures

Adapting To Turtle Friendly Lighting Compliance

Coastal properties especially are required by law to comply with light pollution standards in the protection of Sea Turtles. Each year nearly 20,000 hatch-lings are disorientated by artificial light and most do not make it to the ocean waters.  The lighting pollutions standards are designed to prevent disorientation and conserve sea turtle populations. Adapting to Sea Turtle Friendly Lighting can seem daunting for many property owners who at first glance raise the concern for human safety over Sea Turtle Conservation. Property Owners and Managers must be aware that the preservation of Sea Turtles with stringent lighting requirements is in no way to limit the safety of residences, guest and customers of properties located nearby nesting areas. Each facility faced with adapting to Sea Turtle Friendly Lighting is actually becoming masterful in lighting design through simple and affordable methods. Dark Sky and Wildlife Friendly / Turtle Friendly Lighting incorporates the highest standards of energy efficiency and light control by eliminating wasteful light emission.

Turtle Friendly Light Bulbs

Approved Amber LED, Light Bulbs and Light Fixtures

Synergy Lighting carries the largest selection of Approved “Wildlife Certified” Turtle Friendly Lighting Fixtures and Approved Fluorescent and LED Light Bulbs. With aid of our Trained and Certified Lighting Specialists, Synergy Lighting experts can recommend and provide the appropriate light fixtures and light bulbs to ensure your facility is 100% compliant with the requirements for Coastal Lighting, thus preventing your home, facility or business from facing potential fines for light pollution and Sea Turtle Disorientation

Wildlife Approved Light Bulb and LED Light Bulbs

Turtle Friendly Light Bulbs use long wave lengths of light emission typically 600 Nanometers and Higher (Amber & Red). This can be referred to similar to the longer arches of a rainbow. Green and Blue tone light emits shorter wave light spectrum’s that are more attractive to Sea Turtles and cause disorientation.   All light bulbs used to comply with light provisions of Sea Turtles must pass a spectrometer test by a Certified or Supervisory Personnel within the Sea Turtle Program as well as UL Certification, LM79 and LM80 Testing. Just because a lamp is Amber or Red, does not mean that it will pass. CFL’s, Colored tube guards, gels and colored filters are no longer accepted due to fade and color shift. Currently the following lamps meet this requirement:

Turtle Friendly Lighting Fixtures

Turtle Friendly Light Fixtures are Approved Light Fixtures that prevent light trespass to the coastal waterways. These fixtures must direct either downwards, or down and out away from beaches. Several fixtures may require accessories items such as shields and louvers in additionally to preclude wall washing and direct view exposure.   Each of the approved fixtures may require these accessories depending on placement and mounting heights. Ask Synergy Lighting for assistance on choosing the fixture that will work best for your facility or residence. Each fixture must be paired with an approved Turtle Friendly Light Bulb to form a completed package.

FWC Approved Wall And Ceiling Mounted Fixtures- Turtle Friendly Lighting

FWC Approved Landscape and Area Lighting – Turtle Friendly Lighting

All FWC Approved Pagoda and Louvered Bollards used for Sea Turtle Friendly Lighting must be accompanied with Beach Front Shields installed to prevent any light emission in the direction or direct view from beach nesting areas.  Due to salt water corrosion, Synergy Lighting only uses FWC Approved Poly Carbonate, Fiberglass, Special Coated Aluminum, Brass and Stainless Steel fixtures.

For more information on FWC Approved Turtle Friendly Lighting, view our website and call Synergy Lighting for a free estimate and consultation.

Phone: (941)-756-4844

Toll Free: (877) 220-5483

e-mail: sales@synergylightingusa.com