In Your Nature Ep 60 - Dark Skies

Send us Fan Mail In Your Nature returns with a luminous new episode exploring the theme of Dark Skies, featuring a guest interview with Kerem Asfuroglu of Dark Source (lighting design consultancy) and Dark Skies Ireland . As artificial light increasingly disrupts ecosystems and obscures our view of the stars, this episode sheds light on the growing movement to preserve natural darkness for the benefit of wildlife, human health, and cultural heritage. Kerem shares his unique perspective as a lighting designer and advocate for sustainable lighting practices, discussing how thoughtful design can reduce light pollution without compromising safety or functionality. The conversation highlights how excessive artificial light affects nocturnal species, including birds and insects, and explores the broader ecological consequences of a sky that never truly gets dark. Ricky, Niall and Kerem also delve into the emotional and philosophical dimensions of darkness—how reconnecting with the night sky can foster a deeper sense of place, wonder, and environmental stewardship. The episode emphasises the importance of community engagement, policy change, and interdisciplinary collaboration in protecting Ireland’s remaining dark sky areas. The Robin is Bird of the Week, a familiar and beloved garden resident. Robins can be disproportionately impacted by light pollution due to their year-round territoriality, sometimes causing them to sing all night and throughout the year. In Your Nature features Ricky Whelan, Biodiversity Officer with Offaly County Council , and Niall Hatch of BirdWatch Ireland , and is edited by Ann-Marie Kelly. The series is supported by Laois, Offaly, and Westmeath County Councils, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and the Heritage Council. More Info Dark Skies Ireland - Environmentally Friendly Lighting Guide BirdWatch Ireland - Robin For more about BirdWatch Ireland, visit

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In Your Nature Ep 60 - Dark Skies is an episode from In Your Nature by By BirdWatch Ireland.

This episode is 45:15 long.

This episode was published on Jul 27, 2025.

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