Together with fellow members of Eagle Scout Troop 72, ninth grader Caroline Newby built a bird viewing blind on the Trinity Woods Preserve. This is a structure where kindergarten-8th grade students at Trinity Episcopal School can unobtrusively observe and identify birds in their natural habitat. Species identification cards and other information, including tips on reducing light pollution, are available at the viewing site.

Caroline was inspired to carry out this project after a summer trip to Camp Meriwether in Oregon. While camping on the beach, she noticed millions of stars, the Milky Way, satellites, and many constellations. Back home in Austin, the sky was yellowish-gray, and only a few of the brightest stars were visible. This disparity stood out in her mind, and she chose tackling light pollution for her eighth grade capstone course and Eagle Project.

This bird blind project was an opportunity to inspire other students’ interest in the wildlife at the school’s Trinity Preserve, and after igniting that spark in their minds, it would be easier to encourage students to protect bird habitat, including the night sky. By helping students understand the effects of skyglow, they would be equipped to spread the message at home, to neighbors, their parent’s workplaces, parks, libraries, and businesses around town.

Eagle Scout Troop 72 members building the bird blind.

With more members of the community informed of the harms to wildlife caused by light pollution, Caroline hopes “the stars at night will shine big and bright in Texas once again”. She encourages everyone to follow the 5 Principles of Responsible Outdoor Lighting, which includes adjusting to downward facing lights, utilizing timers and motion sensors, and installing yellow light bulbs instead of bright white bulbs.

Eagle Scout Caroline Newby.