The DarkSky Awards are run by DarkSky International to recognize dark sky advocates from around the world, who are working to protect the night from light pollution. Chiara Carucci was named as the first ever winner to receive the coveted ‘Wildlife Night Watch’ award. The accolade is awarded to individuals whose decisive actions have been instrumental in conserving and protecting terrestrial and/or aquatic wildlife species sensitive to artificial light at night.
Winners have to be able to demonstrate efforts such as restoring natural nocturnal conditions in protected areas by eliminating unnecessary lighting or implementing smart lighting practices on site.
RELATED: LD Chiara Carucci Unveils New Service, Noctua – Cultural & Natural Heritage Lighting Design
The announcement was made as part of the virtual DarkSky ‘Under One Sky’ event, held on 9th November. The event coincided with Chiara delivering a talk at the Tartu Observatory at the University of Tartu, focusing on light pollution and ecological lighting principles. The news of her award win was welcomed by attendees and the other speakers present.
Winning the Wildlife Night Watch Award is a testament to Chiara’s commitment to creating lighting designs that push boundaries to incorporate innovative solutions for conservation. Chiara's projects exemplify her dedication to harmonizing human progress with environmental preservation.
Chiara received multiple nominations naming her as a deserving winner of the Wildlife Night Watch award. In nominating her, Bianca Gortárez Hernández said, “Chiara’s forward-thinking approach to conservation is evident in her innovative projects, such as the pilot interventions for sea turtle nesting sites. Her designs prioritize the value of darkness, creating the right light at the right time to protect wildlife.”
“Chiara’s contributions not only meet but exceed the award’s criteria, showcasing her as a leader in wildlife conservation and sustainable lighting design.”
Complementing this, Katia Kolovea said, “Chiara’s leadership extends beyond her projects. She plays a crucial role for the Lighting Police; an initiative devoted to raising awareness about the adverse effects of poor lighting and light pollution. As a member of the advisory board, her guidance has been invaluable in shaping effective strategies and campaigns that have resonated with professionals and the public alike.”
On winning the award, Chiara said: “Being recognised by DarkSky International is a huge accomplishment, at such a fantastic period in my life.”
“I am continually grateful for the work of Annika Jägerbrand, Travis Longcore, Dr. Kellie Pendoley and all the others who conduct research on a daily basis. It enables us to be more conscious and informed in our professional activities, as we strive to protect our shared natural heritage.”
This prestigious award win comes shortly after the launch of Chiara’s new studio, Noctua – Cultural and Natural Heritage Lighting Design. Chiara launched Noctua as a bridge between research and practice, aiming to protect heritage while embracing the future.
Noctua aims to revitalize spaces by integrating cultural narratives with environmental responsibility, while ensuring conservation and social sustainability.
With this award, Chiara and Noctua are even more committed to pioneering sustainable lighting solutions that preserve and enhance the beauty of our world, both natural and cultural, for all living beings.
For more information on Chiara and Noctua, and how you can further reduce light pollution in your day-to-day life, visit https://noctua.life/
The awards committee gave the following reason for Chiara’s award-win:
This award honors your exceptional contributions to wildlife conservation through innovative lighting design. Your work, particularly with projects like the Collepardo Caves and the Caretta caretta nesting sites pilot project, demonstrates your commitment to protecting sensitive species from the harmful effects of artificial light.
The Wildlife Night Watch Award celebrates individuals whose actions have been instrumental in conserving and protecting wildlife species sensitive to artificial light at night. Your designs, from enhancing social sustainability in Sweden to protecting migratory birds and aquatic species, set a new standard for best practices in lighting at ecologically sensitive sites. Your leadership in the "Lighting Police" initiative and dedication to education and public outreach have further cemented your influence in the field.
An example of her work that has strengthened her nomination and win:
An example of her work which led to her success in the awards is Chiara’s sustainable lighting design in Collepardo Caves to protect bats while enhancing the visitor experience. Chaira led the lighting design for the caves, a Site of Community Importance (SIC), which are home to five species of bats.
Chiara adopted a hands-on approach including a complete test lighting on site in collaboration with local managers, guides and a chiropterologist. By relying on perception and storytelling, which goes above and beyond the usual lighting techniques, the team contributed to raise awareness and protect this delicate ecosystem.
The team collaborated with three researchers for the environmental impact assessment, including Lampenflora as an ecological issue in caves, which are naturally dark. The construction was carefully timed around the bats' phenological phases.
The project served as a full-scale field experiment, verifying research protocols and best practices. Effective mitigating measures included controlled light direction, restricted operating times, and the principle of reversibility. The teamwork ensured minimal ecological impact, reduced energy and maintenance costs, while enhancing the visitor experience.
Just one year later, the site has seen an increase in visitor numbers and improved conservation metrics. The team created a sustainable and economically viable system where heritage management and tourism support the welfare of the natural environment.
About Chiara Carucci, Founder, Principal Lighting Designer
With over two decades of experience in the industry, Chiara's journey has been marked by a diverse array of projects and awards. Since 2018, Chiara has collaborated with fellow professionals and researchers, pushing the boundaries of traditional lighting design to incorporate innovative solutions for architectural and ecological conservation. From pilot interventions to safeguard sea turtles to illuminating tourist caves while protecting bats and formations, Chiara's projects exemplify her dedication to harmonizing human progress with environmental preservation. Noctua by Chiara Carucci