International Dark Sky Places - Starlight Initiative

International Dark Sky PlacesKim Patten, IDA, Programs Director and Public AffairsFriedel Pas, IDA European Liaison Officer, Board of DirectorsStarlight Initiative, 9-10 November 2009, La Palma

International Dark Sky PlacesA program to encourage communityinvolvement in the preservationand restoration of our night skiesCommunities – Parks - Reserveswww.darksky.org/page/IDSPlaces

International Dark Sky CommunitiesAstronomy Picture of the Day – 2008 April 16A Protected Night Sky Over Flagstaff

International Dark Sky Communities

International Dark Sky Parks

International Dark Sky Parks• Exceptional commitment to, and success inimplementing, night sky preservation and/or restoration• Preserve/restore outstanding night skies• Promote protection of natural habitat• Promote protection of public enjoyment• Encourage park administrators to identify the valuableresource• Encourage parks to become environmental leaders on thedark sky issue

Eligibility• Public land – regardless of managerial agency• Provide public nighttime access• Outstanding dark sky resource relative to thepopulation it serves• Minimum sky quality– Limiting Magnitude 5.0, Bortle Scale 6– Milky Way should be visible

Requirements• Lighting Guideline/Lightscape ManagementPlan• Proven commitment to natural skies andlightscape management

Natural Bridges National Monument

Joshua Tree National Park

Natural Bridges National Monument

Cherry Springs State Park

Cherry Springs State Park

Geauga Park DistrictObservatory Park

Geauga Park District

Geauga Park District

International Dark Sky Reserves

IDSR Objectives• Identify and honor public or private land and their surroundingcommunities with exceptional commitment to, and success inimplementing, dark sky preservation and/or restoration insideand surrounding the core• Encourage land administrators to identify dark skies as a valuableresource• Preserve/restore outstanding night skies• Promote the protection of the night skies• Provide recognition for such• Encourage areas to form public/private partnerships inprotection and recognition of nights skies and becomeenvironmental leaders on the issue

Mont Megantic’s Three Zone System

Innovation in Outdoor Lighting at the Core

Mont Megantic ReserveRecommended Standards for Operating Hours• All lighting fixtures, including signs, shall be turned off at10:00 p.m. (in zones 1 and 2) or 11:00 p.m. (in zone 3), oroutside business or operating hours.• Any lighting fixtures used for security (lighting in storageareas, streets, public pedestrian areas or buildingentrances) are exempt from point 1.• Outdoor sales area, unloading, handling or work areasshall be illuminated at the level perscribed for storageareas outside business or operating hours, or shall reducetheir lighting by 75%

Galloway Forest Park

Hortobagy National Park & theZselic Landscape Protection AreaSubmission at the 9 th European Symposiumfor the Protection of the Night Sky

Pic du Midi

Starlight Reserve vs Dark Sky Reserves• Similar concepts• Different products defending the same.‣Make multiple weaker products in place of one strong‣Better one product supported by multible backgrouds• IDA have lot off experience in evaluating,following up and support the local group &authorities

Thank you!You may contact us atInternational Dark-Sky Association3225 N First AveTucson AZ 85719520-293-3198ida@darksky.orgwww.darksky.orgKim Patten kim@darksky.orgFriedel Pas europe@darksky.org