Every summer along the Jersey Shore, a quiet challenge plays out after sunset. While streetlights help keep neighborhoods safe, their glow can unintentionally disrupt the natural behaviors of wildlife, particularly diamondback terrapins during nesting and hatching season. For these turtles, even a single bright light can mean the difference between reaching the water or wandering into danger. 

In Harvey Cedars, New Jersey, this tension between public safety and wildlife protection came to a head, sparking an innovative solution. Rather than competing, advanced technology and environmental stewardship now go hand in hand.  

Where Smart Lighting Meets Wildlife Protection 

Terrapins rely on natural light cues to do just about everything during nesting and hatching season. Artificial lighting along the shoreline and nearby roads can throw the entire process out of balance. Females may avoid nesting altogether, and hatchlings can mistake those lights for the horizon, leading them inland instead of toward the water. The consequences are serious: dehydration, exhaustion and increased exposure to predators, all of which significantly reduce survival rates. 

A Flexible, Community-Driven Approach in Harvey Cedars 

Recognizing the urgency of this issue, Harvey Cedars Commissioner of Parks, Joe Gieger, collaborated with Exelon’s Atlantic City Electric (ACE) and Itron to pilot a turtle-friendly street lighting solution near Sunset Park. Using Itron’s Network Lighting Control (NLC) on the CityEdge® platform, the town adjusted light levels and operating schedules during critical nesting and hatching periods. By dimming lights at the right times without turning them off entirely, Harvey Cedars was able to maintain visibility and safety for residents while creating a more natural nighttime environment for terrapins when they need it most. 

Lighting That Adapts to Real-World Conditions 

The key to this solution is flexibility. The NLC allows communities to tailor lighting behavior by location, season and time of day. That means municipalities and utilities don’t have to pick between safety and sustainability—they can achieve both. And while this project is local, the model is broadly applicable. Any community facing light-pollution challenges, whether related to wildlife conservation, energy efficiency or public safety, can adopt a similar approach using smart lighting controls. 

Beyond Harvey Cedars: A Local Solution with Broader Impact 

Harvey Cedars’ pilot reflects a larger movement across the industry. Utilities and cities are increasingly rethinking how infrastructure interacts with the environment. Similar initiatives, such as Florida Power & Light’s work protecting sea turtles through adaptive street lighting, demonstrate that thoughtful use of technology can reduce environmental impact without compromising performance. 

Lighting, of course, is just one part of the conservation effort. Harvey Cedars and its partners are also improving nesting habitats, tracking terrapin populations and taking the time to educate the community. The combination of these efforts shows what can happen when municipalities, utilities and technology teams partner with a real commitment to environmental stewardship, not just a checkbox. 

Deploying Technology with Responsibility and Purpose 

At the core, this project is not simply about dimming lights. It is about deploying technology responsibly, working together and developing a shared commitment to protecting the environment while keeping communities safe. As more cities explore sustainable practices, Harvey Cedars is proving that innovation and conservation can move forward together in harmony. 

Itron worked closely with Exelon throughout the pilot to ensure the lighting solution met operational needs while supporting conservation goals. The project continues to show what conservation-focused infrastructure can look like when it’s done right: smart lighting controls that protect wildlife without sacrificing energy efficiency or reliability. 

A Blueprint for Environmental Stewardship and Safer Communities 

Protecting terrapins in Harvey Cedars is much more than just a local success story. It’s a blueprint. By pairing smart technology with environmental responsibility, communities are no longer forced to make the choice between safety and sustainability. 

The real question is what comes next. Whether you run a municipality, support a utility or you are simply someone who hates seeing wildlife struggle, start by asking how we can reduce light pollution in our own communities. Partner with people doing the work. Push for wildlife-friendly practices. Make choices that protect the environments we are living in. 

Conservation starts wherever we decide to act. And if we choose to, we can guide both people and wildlife toward a brighter, more sustainable horizon, ideally with streetlights and technology that don’t confuse baby turtles.

References 

• National Park Service. Sea Turtle Conservation. https://www.nps.gov/subjects/sea-turtles/index.htm   
• Witherington, B. E., & Martin, R. E. (2000). Understanding, Assessing, and Resolving Light-Pollution Problems on Sea Turtle Nesting Beaches. Florida Marine Research Institute.