Two Lake District communities are urged to take part in a Big Switch Off later this month.
The Ambleside and Grasmere Big Switch Off will take place on Friday, March 28.
Street lights will be turned off in central Ambleside and Grasmere and residents and businesses are encouraged to flip the switches too.
Friends of the Lake District’s Dark Skies Cumbria project is co-ordinating the annual event – now in its fifth year.
Its aim is to encourage people not to leave lights on through the night to save electricity, reduce their carbon footprint and help protect wildlife.
Dark Sky events on during the evening include a drop-in at the Ambleside Parish Centre to see some examples of dark sky friendly lighting from lighting suppliers, followed by a talk about the Dark Skies Cumbria Project at 7.30pm.
The National Trust is also inviting people to bring binoculars and telescopes up to Allen Bank in Grasmere to see the starry sky.
Friends of the Lake District’s projects officer Jack Ellerby said: “As LED lights are cheap to run we tend to use too many and leave them on when not really needed.
“The event aims to raise awareness about reducing our energy consumption and to help achieve the net zero target in Cumbria by 2037, and also to celebrate the importance of local people and visitors being able to see a night sky full of stars for their health and well-being.
“Artificial light at night is harmful to wildlife, and can damage human sleep patterns, affecting our long-term health. Light pollution is on the increase and too many lights are left on overnight when not needed, wasting energy, adding to electricity bills and releasing more carbon into the atmosphere.”
Will Clark, Westmorland and Furness councillor for Windermere, Ambleside and Grasmere, said: “I am pleased to be supporting another Dark Skies event, a one-night switch off that has already proved extremely popular.
“An opportunity to truly observe nature and appreciate our local surroundings without the impact of light pollution.
“Supporting these switch offs also helps to deliver several council priorities including net zero, biodiversity enhancement and personal wellbeing. Everyone is encouraged to take part in the Dark Skies initiative, including businesses, residents and visitors.
“Well done to Dark Skies Cumbria and the Friends of the Lake District for their commitment to this project.”
Keswick Big Switch Off will take place on Monday April 28.
