Lights on the University Hall tower on the University of Toledo’s main campus temporarily will go dark today.

To participate in Earth Hour, an effort of the World Wildlife Fund to encourage the planet’s protection, the university will turn off the tower’s lights at 8:30 p.m. for one hour.

This is the first time UT has participated in the lights-off event, which began in Australia in 2007. Organizers encourage people and businesses to turn off nonessential lights between 8:30 and 9:30 p.m. local time.

Also to mark the event, a candlelight walk will begin at 7:30 p.m. in Olander Park, Sylvania. Participants should bring a candle, flashlight, or lantern. The Environmental Sciences Undergraduate Society is hosting the activities.

First Published March 28, 2015, 5:37 a.m.