Why Miami

Environmental Impact on Wildlife

Miami’s coastline is a critical nesting site for endangered sea turtles. Hatchlings rely on natural moonlight reflecting off the ocean to guide them to the water. Artificial lighting from buildings, streets, and vehicles overwhelms this natural cue.

• Over 100,000 sea turtle hatchlings die each year in Florida due to light-related disorientation

• Approximately 98% of U.S. nesting beaches are affected by light pollution

• Miami-Dade County beaches host around 600 nests annually, averaging about 100 hatchlings per nest

Many hatchlings crawl inland toward artificial lights rather than the ocean, where they die from dehydration, exhaustion, or predation. Even under natural conditions, only about 1 in 1,000 hatchlings survives to adulthood, making light-related mortality especially devastating.

Impact on Birds and Nocturnal Species

Migratory birds are drawn to illuminated structures at night, leading to fatal collisions or navigational disorientation. Nocturnal animals lose the darkness necessary for foraging, reproduction, and maintaining stable ecosystems.