Snowy plovers can’t find 
a beach dark enough 

to lay their eggs. Sea turtle 
hatchlings head toward 

inland glare, now brighter 
than starlight reflecting 

off the ocean. Skyglow 
has confused migratory birds—

they’re arriving too early 
or late to nest, or worse, 

they circle buildings 
until they drop from exhaustion. 

A child stands in her backyard, 
searching for the Milky Way. 

Bio: Victoria Melekian