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Put that light out!

tasland | 3 February 2026

It’s lovely to be able to use our gardens at night and good outdoor lighting can make it more enjoyable. But it’s worth remembering that artificial light can have a big impact on our native wildlife. Before you go to bed, turn off outdoor lights where you can and try to reduce the light pollution coming from your home. Do we really need our sensor lights interrupting a bandicoot’s dinner plans?

All of Tasmania’s marsupials are nocturnal or crepuscular. As we wind down for the night, wallabies, possums, and pademelons are just beginning theirs. For thousands of years, these animals have lived in environments with no artificial light. Today, they share their habitats with more people than ever before – and far more lighting than they evolved with.

Over many generations, Tasmanian mammals have become highly sensitive to changes in light. Some species use daylight levels to guide their daily feeding habits and even seasonal breeding. Artificial light can disrupt these cues, confusing and dysregulating the natural rhythms of our wildlife.

Bennett’s wallaby. Captured by our WildTracker cameras at Devil’s Corner.

How to make your garden safer for wildlife

  • Avoid lighting areas with dense vegetation. This includes the canopy and understorey. Wildlife use these areas to forage and to shelter from potential predators.
  • Use amber or warm white light. Animals are used to dim light. If you are going to use artificial lights, opt for warm white, yellow or amber. Soft lighting is easier on the eyes, while bright white light can temporarily dazzle animals.
  • Turn off your lights – outside and inside. This is the most effective way to reduce light pollution, and it will also save on energy bills. Programmed timers can help if you tend to forget.
Warm white garden lights. Photo: Fajri Nugroho

Reducing your home’s light emissions will make garden a safer, more natural space for wildlife – and you’re likely to see more furry visitors as a result. You might not see them as clearly, but that’s exactly how they prefer it.

For more information, visit the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water website. You can also explore Dark Sky Lab’s interactive light pollution platform to see how bright your neighbourhood is.

William Graddon, University of Tasmania Masters student and former TLC intern.