Dear [Your Council Member],

<p>I am writing to urge you to co-sponsor and support Intro 0998 [Epstein], legislation that would require privately owned group B, M, and E buildings to limit unnecessary artificial light at night.</p> <p>Every spring and fall, millions of birds migrate through New York City. Artificial light draws them off course and into our dangerous urban environment, where an estimated quarter million birds die from window collisions each year. Limiting unnecessary nighttime lighting is one of the most effective and straightforward actions we can take to protect them.</p> <p>Birds play a vital role in our ecosystems, controlling pests, pollinating plants, and dispersing seeds. But the benefits of reducing light pollution extend beyond birds, supporting mental and physical health for all New Yorkers and cutting energy costs for building owners. They're also one of the most accessible forms of wildlife New Yorkers encounter, offering a rare and valuable connection to nature in a dense urban environment. </p> <p>New York City has long been a national leader in bird-friendly legislation – from Local Law 15, which set a national standard for bird-safe building design, to the 2021 Lights Out law for city-owned buildings. Intro 0998 [Epstein] is the critical next step, and cities across the country are watching.</p> <p>Please co-sponsor and support Intro 0998 [Epstein].</p>