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Gateway Arch National Park Turning Arch's Lights Off For Birds

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By NPT Staff - May 2nd, 2020

Night-time lights on the arch at Gateway Arch National Park will be left off until May 15 so as not to confuse migrating birds/NPS file

The arch at Gateway Arch National Park will be fading into darkness once the sun goes down through May 14 so as not to confuse birds on their spring migration.

“The beginning of May is the peak time for birds migrating north for the summer,” said Pam Sanfilippo, chief of Museum Services and Interpretation at the park in St. Louis, Missouri. “The first two weeks of May, we will turn off the Gateway Arch’s exterior lights to avoid the possible disorienting effect of the monument’s upward lighting on birds that migrate at night.”

The exterior lights will be turned back on beginning Friday, May 15. The monument will be lit nightly through the summer.

Gateway Arch National Park remains temporarily closed due to the COVID-19 health situation. NPS is working with federal, state, and local authorities to closely monitor this rapidly changing situation. 

Comments

Submitted by JoAnn Drew on May 5, 2020 - 8:21pm.

I was in St. Louis a couple of years ago for the Southern Legislative Conference.  Loved being able to see and tour the Arch.  But I am so proud of their decision to turn off the lights for the migrating birds.  Thank you so much.


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