Dark-sky preserve

Last updated
A dark-sky preserve status enables high-quality astronomical observation in Paranal Observatory. Rise of the Milky Way.jpg
A dark-sky preserve status enables high-quality astronomical observation in Paranal Observatory.

A dark-sky preserve (DSP) is an area, usually surrounding a park or observatory, that restricts or reduces light pollution or maintains and protects naturally dark night skies. Different terms have been used to describe these areas as national organizations and governments have worked independently to create programs. DarkSky International (DarkSky) uses "International Dark Sky Reserve" (IDSR) and "International Dark Sky Park" (IDSP) among others when certifying Dark Sky Places. [2]

Contents

History

DarkSky International was founded in 1988 to reserve public or private land for an exquisite outlook of nocturnal territories and starry night skies. Dark-sky preserves are specifically conserved for their cultural, scientific, natural, or educational value and public enjoyment. [3]

In 2007, the Mont Mégantic Observatory in Quebec was the first site to be certified as an International Dark Sky Reserve by DarkSky. [4] The same year, Natural Bridges National Monument in Utah became the first International Dark Sky Park. [5] The Gabriela Mistral Dark Sky Sanctuary in the Elqui Valley of Chile was designated as the world's first International Dark Sky Sanctuary in 2015. [6]

A dark-sky preserve, or dark-sky reserve, should be sufficiently dark to promote astronomy. The lighting protocol for a dark-sky preserve is based on the sensitivity of wildlife to artificial light at night. [7]

Canada has established an extensive and stringent standard for dark-sky preserves, that addresses lighting within dark-sky preserves and influences from skyglow from urban areas in the region. This was based on the work of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada.

Dark Sky Places

DarkSky International's Dark Sky Places program currently offers five types of designations: [2]

Dark Sky Developments of Distinction recognize subdivisions, master planned communities, and unincorporated neighborhoods and townships whose planning actively promotes a more natural night sky but does not qualify them for the International Dark Sky Community designation. This designation was retired in 2020. [8]

Further designations include "Dark Sky Nation", given to the Kaibab Indian Reservation, [9] and "Parashant International Night Sky Province-Window to the Cosmos", given to Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument. [10]

Dark sky preserves, reserves, and parks

As of January 2023, there are 201 certified Dark Sky Places globally: 38 Communities, 115 Parks, 20 Reserves, 16 Sanctuaries, 6 Developments of Distinction and 6 Urban Night Sky Places. [11]

CountryNameLocationArea (in ha) Bortle Scale StatusNotes
Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia The Jump-Up, Australian Age of Dinosaurs Queensland 1,4001–2Dark Sky SanctuaryDesignated on April 27, 2019
Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Warrumbungle National Park New South Wales 23,3121Dark Sky ParkDesignated on July 4, 2016
Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary South Australia 63,000Dark Sky SanctuaryDesignated July 2023 [12]
Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia River Murray Dark Sky Reserve South Australia 320,0002Dark Sky ReserveDesignated October 2019 (gold tier) [13] [14]
Flag of Austria.svg  Austria Naturpark Attersee-TraunseeUpper Austria10,6003Dark Sky ParkDesignated April 2021 [15]
Flag of Brazil.svg  Brazil Desengano State Park Rio de Janeiro 22,4004Dark Sky ParkDesignated December 2021
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada Beaver Hills Alberta 29,3004.5Dark Sky PreserveDesignated on September 3, 2006
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada Cypress Hills Alberta / Saskatchewan 39,6002Designated on September 28, 2004 [16]
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada Jasper National Park Alberta 1,122,8001–2Dark Sky PreserveDesignated on March 11, 2011 [17]
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada Flag of the United States.svg  United States Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park Alberta / Montana 460,6003Dark Sky ParkDesignated April 2017 [18]
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada Wood Buffalo National Park [19] Alberta / NWT 4,480,7001–2 UNESCO World Heritage
Dark Sky Preserve
Designated on June 28, 2013 [20]
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada Cattle Point Oak Bay, British Columbia 5Urban Star ParkDesignated March 29, 2013 [21]
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada McDonald Park British Columbia 52–3Dark Sky PreserveDesignated in 2003
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada Fundy National Park New Brunswick 20,7002Dark Sky PreserveDesignated on October 31, 2011 [22]
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada Irving Nature Park Saint John, New Brunswick 243Urban Star ParkDesignated on July 1, 2011; First RASC-designated Urban Star Park
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada Kouchibouguac National Park New Brunswick 23,9202Designated on June 6, 2009 [23]
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada Mount Carleton Provincial Park New Brunswick 17,4272Designated on July 18, 2009 [24]
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada Kejimkujik National Park Nova Scotia 40,4002Designated on August 7, 2010 [25]
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada Bluewater Outdoor Education Centre Ontario 1292Designated on November 3, 2012, by the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada Bruce Peninsula Fathom Five National Marine Park Ontario 16,7002–3Designated on March 29, 2009
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada Gordon's Park Ontario 43.72–3Dark Sky PreserveDesignated on August 15, 2009; designation is only for the Park though Manitoulin Island (276,611 ha) follows dark-sky practices [26]
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada Lake Superior Provincial Park Ontario 155,6001-2Designated in July 2018 [27]
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada Killarney Provincial Park Ontario 64,5001-2Designated in May 2018 [28]
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada North Frontenac Township Ontario 116,0001–2Designated on August 3, 2013, first Municipality in Canada to achieve Dark Sky Preserve Status.
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada Point Pelee National Park Ontario 2,0003–4Designated in 2006
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada Quetico Provincial Park Ontario 471,8002-3Dark Sky ParkDesignated February 2021
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada Torrance Barrens Ontario 1,9063Designated in 1999; first Canadian dark sky preserve
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada Mont Mégantic Observatory Quebec 527,5002–3Dark Sky ReserveDesignated Sept. 2007; first IDA International Dark-Sky Reserve [29]
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada Parc du Mont-Bellevue Quebec 1595Urban Night Sky PlaceDesignated September 2022 [30]
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada Mont-Tremblant National Park Quebec 146,600Dark Sky ParkDesignated August 2023
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada Grasslands National Park Saskatchewan 92,1001Designated on October 2, 2009 [31]
Flag of Chile.svg  Chile Gabriela Mistral Elqui Valley 36,400Dark Sky SanctuaryDesignated in 2015 [32]
Flag of Croatia.svg  Croatia Jelsa Hvar 12,120Dark Sky CommunityDesignated 2022
Flag of Croatia.svg  Croatia Petrova Gora-Biljeg2,930Dark Sky ParkDesignated 2019 [33]
Flag of Croatia.svg  Croatia Vrani kamen8,0002Dark Sky ParkDesignated 2019 [34]
Flag of the Czech Republic.svg  Czech Republic
Flag of Slovakia.svg  Slovakia
Beskydy Dark-Sky Park Moravian-Silesian Region, Czech Republic
Čadca District, Slovakia
30,8003–4Designated on March 4, 2013; The second world's bilateral dark-sky park [35]
Flag of the Czech Republic.svg  Czech Republic Manětín Dark-Sky Park Plzeň Region 34,6003–5Designated on September 15, 2014 [36]
Flag of the Czech Republic.svg  Czech Republic
Flag of Poland.svg  Poland
Jizera Dark-Sky Park Liberec Region, Czech Republic
Lower Silesia, Poland
7,5003–4Designated on November 4, 2009; the first European dark-sky park and the first world's bilateral dark-sky park [37]
Flag of Denmark.svg  Denmark Dark Sky Park BulbjergFrøstrup1,2503Dark Sky ParkDesignated 2023 [38]
Flag of Denmark.svg  Denmark Mandø 846Dark Sky ParkDesignated 2024 [39]
Flag of Denmark.svg  Denmark Møn and Nyord Zealand 1,1002Dark Sky ParkDesignated 2017
Flag of France.svg  France Pic du Midi de Bigorre Hautes-Pyrénées 311,2002–4Dark Sky ReserveDesignated an IDA International Dark Sky Reserve in December 2013; First IDA International Dark Sky Reserve in Europe. [40]
Flag of France.svg  France Alpes Azur Mercantour Beuil 225,000Dark Sky ReserveDesignated in 2019. [41]
Flag of France.svg  France Cévennes National Park Cévennes 360,000Dark Sky ReserveDesignated in 2018. [42]
Flag of France.svg  France Regional Natural Park of Millevaches in Limousin Millevaches 335,000Dark Sky ReserveDesignated in 2021. [43]
Flag of Germany.svg  Germany Winklmoosalm Bavaria 792Dark Sky ParkDesignated May 2018 [44]
Flag of Germany.svg  Germany Westhavelland Nature Park Brandenburg 152,900Dark Sky ReserveDesignated an IDA International Dark Sky Reserve on February 12, 2014 [45]
Flag of Germany.svg  Germany Eifel National Park North Rhine-Westphalia 10,7002-3Dark Sky ParkDesignated 2014 [46]
Flag of Germany.svg  Germany Rhön Biosphere Reserve Rhön Mountains 172,0003Dark Sky ReserveDesignated in 2014. [47]
Flag of Greece.svg  Greece Aenos National Park Cephalonia 2,8603Dark Sky ParkDesignated June 2023 [48]
Flag of Hungary.svg  Hungary Bükk National Park Bükk Mountains 43,1304Dark Sky ParkDesignated 2017
Flag of Hungary.svg  Hungary Hortobágy Starry Sky Park Various counties10,0003Dark Sky ParkDesignated on January 31, 2011; IDA's third international dark-sky park (Silver tier) [49]
Flag of Hungary.svg  Hungary Zselic National Landscape Protection Area Somogy County / Baranya County 9,0423Dark Sky ParkDesignated on November 16, 2009
Flag of India.svg  India Indian Astronomical Observatory Hanle in Ladakh 70,000Designated in September 2022. [50] [51]
Flag of Ireland.svg  Ireland Kerry International Dark-Sky Reserve Iveragh Peninsula, County Kerry 70,0001–3Dark Sky ReserveDesignated an IDA International Dark Sky Reserve on January 27, 2014 [52]
Flag of Israel.svg  Israel Makhtesh Ramon Southern District 110,0002–3Dark Sky ParkDesignated September 14, 2017 [53]
Flag of Japan.svg  Japan Minami-Rokuroshi Fukui Prefecture 1,230Urban Night Sky PlaceDesignated August 2023 [54]
Flag of Japan.svg  Japan Bisei Town, Ibara City Okayama Prefecture 72714.5Dark Sky CommunityDesignated November 2021 [55]
Flag of Japan.svg  Japan Iriomote-Ishigaki National Park Okinawa Prefecture 40,6584Dark Sky ParkDesignated April 2018
Flag of Japan.svg  Japan Kozushima Dark Sky Island Oshima Subprefecture 1,8582-3Dark Sky ParkDesignated November 2020
Flag of Mexico.svg  Mexico Joya-La Barreta Ecological Park Querétaro 245Urban Night Sky PlaceDesignated September 2023 [56]
Flag of Mexico.svg  Mexico Flag of the United States.svg  United States Greater Big Bend International Dark Sky Reserve Chihuahua / Coahuila / Texas 3,885,0003Dark Sky ReserveDesignated April 2022 [57]
Flag of Namibia.svg  Namibia NamibRand Nature Reserve Hardap Region 202,200Dark Sky ReserveDesignated in 2012.
Flag of the Netherlands.svg  The Netherlands De Boschplaat Terschelling, Friesland 2,4003Dark Sky ParkDesignated on October 7, 2016
Flag of the Netherlands.svg  The Netherlands Lauwersmeer Friesland 5,0004Dark Sky ParkDesignated October 2016
Flag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park, Mackenzie Basin, Lake Tekapo, Lake Pukaki 436,7003Dark Sky ReserveDesignated on June 9, 2012 [58] [59]
Flag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand Aotea / Great Barrier Island Great Barrier Island 28,5002Dark Sky SanctuaryDesignated in 2017 [60]
Flag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand Oxford Forest Conservation Area North Canterbury 11,350Dark Sky ParkDesignated in 2024 [61]
Flag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand Stewart Island-Rakiura Stewart Island 174,6002Dark Sky SanctuaryDesignated in 2019 [62]
Flag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand Wai-iti Dark Sky Park Tasman District 1353Dark Sky ParkDesignated in 2020 [63]
Flag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand Wairarapa Dark Sky Reserve Wairarapa 366,5002Dark Sky ReserveDesignated in 2023 [64]
Flag of Niue.svg  Niue Niue Niue 25,9002Dark Sky Sanctuary / Dark Sky CommunityDesignated in 2020. First whole country to become an International Dark Sky Place. [65]
Flag of Poland.svg  Poland Bieszczady Starry-Sky Park Subcarpathia 113,8462–3Designated on March 8, 2013 [66]
Flag of Poland.svg  Poland Sopotnia Wielka Silesian Voivodeship Dark Sky CommunityDesignated November 2023 [67]
Flag of Poland.svg  Poland
Flag of Slovakia.svg  Slovakia
Flag of Ukraine.svg  Ukraine
East Carpathian Dark-Sky TriparkBieszczady Starry-Sky Park (Poland)
Poloniny Dark-Sky Park (Slovakia)
Transcarpathian Dark-Sky Park (Ukraine)
208,6672–3Designated on September 9, 2016; first world's trilateral dark-sky park
Flag of Slovakia.svg  Slovakia Poloniny Dark-Sky Park Poloniny National Park 48,5192–3Designated on December 3, 2010 [68]
Flag of Slovakia.svg  Slovakia Veľká Fatra Dark-Sky Park Veľká Fatra National Park (part of)3253–4Designated on June 12, 2015 [69]
Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa !Ae!Hai Kalahari Heritage Park Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park 95,000Dark Sky SanctuaryDesignated in 2019 [70]
Flag of South Korea.svg  South Korea Yeongyang Firefly Eco Park North Gyeongsang Province, Yeongyang County 3904Dark Sky ParkDesignated on November 1, 2015 [71]
Flag of Spain.svg  Spain Albanyà Catalonia 9,4402-3Dark Sky ParkDesignated June 2017
Flag of Ukraine.svg  Ukraine Transcarpathian Dark-Sky ParkUzhansky National Nature Park46,3022Designated on June 10, 2016
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom Sark Channel Islands 5453Dark Sky CommunityDesignated on January 31, 2011; IDA's first international dark-sky island (Silver tier) [49] [72]
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom Bodmin Moor Dark Sky Landscape Cornwall 43,4003Dark Sky ParkDesignated July 2017
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom West Penwith Cornwall 13,5843-4Dark Sky ParkDesignated December 2021
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom Exmoor National Park Devon / Somerset 18,1003Dark Sky ReserveDesignated October 10, 2011
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom Cranborne Chase National Landscape Dorset / Hampshire / Wiltshire 98,3004-4.5Dark Sky Reserve (Provisional)Designated October 2019
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom Moore’s Reserve Hampshire / Sussex 162,7004.5Dark Sky ReserveDesignated May 2016
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom OM Dark Sky Park and Observatory Northern Ireland 1,4021-2Dark Sky ParkDesignated September 2020 [73]
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom Northumberland International Dark Sky Park Northumberland 148,2004Dark Sky ParkDesignated on December 9, 2013 [74] [75]
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom North York Moors National Park North Yorkshire 143,6004Dark Sky ReserveDesignated December 2020
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom Yorkshire Dales National Park North Yorkshire 218,0004-4.5Dark Sky ReserveDesignated 2020
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom Mata ki te Rangi (Eyes To the Sky) Pitcairn Islands 4,3251Dark Sky SanctuaryDesignated March 18, 2019 [76]
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom Galloway Forest Park Scotland 75,0003Dark Sky ParkDesignated on November 16, 2009 [77]
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom Isle of Coll Scotland 7,7001Dark Sky CommunityDesignated on December 9, 2013 [78]
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom Moffat Scotland 18,7004Dark Sky CommunityDesignated 2016
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom North Ronaldsay Dark Sky Island Scotland 7005Dark Sky CommunityDesignated 2021
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom Tomintoul and Glenlivet – Cairngorms National Park Scotland 24,4003-4Dark Sky ParkDesignated 2018
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom Bardsey Island (Ynys Enlli) Wales 1792Dark Sky SanctuaryDesignated February 22, 2023 [79]
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom Brecon Beacons (Bannau Brycheiniog) National Park Wales 134,7004Dark Sky ReserveDesignated February 19, 2013
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom Elan Valley Estate Wales 18,0003-4Dark Sky ParkDesignated 2015 [80]
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom Snowdonia National Park (Eryri) Wales 213,2004Dark Sky ReserveDesignated 2015 [81]
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom Presteigne and Norton Dark Sky Community Wales 4,000Dark Sky CommunityDesignated 2023
Flag of the United States.svg  United States Chiricahua National Monument Arizona 4,8601Dark Sky ParkDesignated April 2021 [82]
Flag of the United States.svg  United States Flagstaff Arizona 17,1005Dark Sky CommunityDesignated 2001, first Dark Sky Place certified by the IDA [83]
Flag of the United States.svg  United States Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument /

Walnut Canyon National Monument / Wupatki National Monument

Arizona 17,5003Dark Sky ParkDesignated 2016 [84]
Flag of the United States.svg  United States Fountain Hills Arizona 5,2706Dark Sky CommunityDesignated 2018
Flag of the United States.svg  United States Grand Canyon National Park Arizona 493,1001-2Dark Sky ParkDesignated June 2016 [85]
Flag of the United States.svg  United States Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument Arizona 404,7001Dark Sky ParkDesignated 2014 [86]
Flag of the United States.svg  United States Kartchner Caverns State Park Arizona 2903Dark Sky ParkDesignated August 2017
Flag of the United States.svg  United States Oracle State Park Arizona 1,6194Dark Sky ParkDesignated 2014 [87]
Flag of the United States.svg  United States Petrified Forest National Park Arizona 59,4603Dark Sky ParkDesignated June 2018
Flag of the United States.svg  United States Pipe Spring National Monument Arizona 163Dark Sky ParkDesignated March 2021
Flag of the United States.svg  United States Sedona Arizona 4,9704Dark Sky CommunityDesignated 2014 [88]
Flag of the United States.svg  United States Anza-Borrego Desert State Park California 237,1004Dark Sky ParkDesignated January 2018
Flag of the United States.svg  United States Death Valley National Park California 1,374,3003Dark Sky ParkDesignated 2013 [89]
Flag of the United States.svg  United States Joshua Tree National Park California 321,8004Dark Sky ParkDesignated July 26, 2017 [90]
Flag of the United States.svg  United States Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park Colorado 12,4403Dark Sky ParkDesignated 2015 [91]
Flag of the United States.svg  United States Curecanti National Recreation Area Colorado 17,0033Dark Sky ParkDesignated August 2021 [92]
Flag of the United States.svg  United States Dinosaur National Monument Colorado / Utah 85,0983Dark Sky ParkDesignated April 2019 [93]
Flag of the United States.svg  United States Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument Colorado 2,4274Dark Sky ParkDesignated June 2021
Flag of the United States.svg  United States Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve Colorado 60,3102Dark Sky ParkDesignated 2019
Flag of the United States.svg  United States Hovenweep National Monument Colorado / Utah 3102Dark Sky ParkDesignated 2014
Flag of the United States.svg  United States Jackson Lake State Park Colorado 1,3203-4Dark Sky ParkDesignated September 2020
Flag of the United States.svg  United States Lake Fork Earth and Sky Center Colorado 242Dark Sky ParkDesignated September 2020
Flag of the United States.svg  United States Mesa Verde National Park Colorado 21,2003Dark Sky ParkDesignated April 2021
Flag of the United States.svg  United States Norwood Colorado 1045Dark Sky CommunityDesignated 2019
Flag of the United States.svg  United States Top of the Pines Colorado 712-3Dark Sky ParkDesignated November 2021 [94]
Flag of the United States.svg  United States Big Cypress National Preserve Florida 290,0003Dark Sky Park [95] Designated 2016
Flag of the United States.svg  United States Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park Florida 21,853 [96] 3Dark Sky Park [95] Designated 2016
Flag of the United States.svg  United States Stephen C. Foster State Park Georgia 322Dark Sky ParkDesignated November 2016 [97]
Flag of the United States.svg  United States Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve Idaho 366,7423Dark Sky ReserveDesignated December 2017 [98]
Flag of the United States.svg  United States Craters of the Moon National Monument Idaho 303,5003Dark Sky ParkDesignated August 2017 [99]
Flag of the United States.svg  United States Middle Fork River Forest Preserve Illinois 6884Dark Sky ParkDesignated 2018 [100]
Flag of the United States.svg  United States Potawatomi Wildlife Park Indiana 1164.5Dark Sky PreserveDesignated in 2003 [101]
Flag of the United States.svg  United States Appalachian Mountain Club’s Maine Woods Maine 29,9003Dark Sky ParkDesignated May 2021 [102]
Flag of the United States.svg  United States Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument Maine 35,4003Dark Sky SanctuaryDesignated May 2020
Flag of the United States.svg  United States Beaver Island State Wildlife Research Area Michigan 3,720Dark Sky SanctuaryDesignated April 2024 [103]
Flag of the United States.svg  United States Dr. T.K. Lawless County Park Michigan 3404.5Dark Sky ParkDesignated January 2020 [104]
Flag of the United States.svg  United States The Headlands Michigan 2204Dark Sky ParkDesignated in 2011 [105]
Flag of the United States.svg  United States Keweenaw Dark Sky Park Michigan 2263Dark Sky ParkDesignated in June 2022
Flag of the United States.svg  United States Lake Hudson State Recreation Area Michigan 8903Dark Sky PreserveDesignated in 1993 [106]
Flag of the United States.svg  United States Negwegon State Park Michigan 1,513Dark Sky PreserveDesignated in 2016 [107]
Flag of the United States.svg  United States Port Crescent State Park Michigan 2,4003Dark Sky PreserveDesignated in 2012 [108]
Flag of the United States.svg  United States Rockport Recreation Area Michigan 4,800Dark Sky PreserveDesignated in 2016 [109]
Flag of the United States.svg  United States Thompson's Harbor State Park Michigan 2,0682Dark Sky PreserveDesignated in 2016 [110]
Flag of the United States.svg  United States Wilderness State Park Michigan 4,2542Dark Sky PreserveDesignated in 2012 [111]
Flag of the United States.svg  United States Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness Minnesota 440,0001Dark Sky SanctuaryDesignated in 2020 [112]
Flag of the United States.svg  United States Voyageurs National Park Minnesota 88,2004Dark Sky ParkDesignated in 2020
Flag of the United States.svg  United States Lost Trail National Wildlife Refuge Montana 3,730Dark Sky SanctuaryDesignated October 2022 [113]
Flag of the United States.svg  United States Medicine Rocks State Park Montana 1401Dark Sky ParkDesignated December 2020 [114]
Flag of the United States.svg  United States Merritt Reservoir State Recreation Area Nebraska 2953-4Dark Sky ParkDesignated 2022
Flag of the United States.svg  United States Great Basin National Park Nevada 31,2301Dark Sky ParkDesignated in 2016 [115]
Flag of the United States.svg  United States Massacre Rim Wilderness Study Area Nevada 40,9902-3Dark Sky SanctuaryDesignated April 2019
Flag of the United States.svg  United States Capulin Volcano National Monument New Mexico 3202Dark Sky ParkDesignated August 2016 [116]
Flag of the United States.svg  United States Chaco Culture National Historical Park New Mexico 13,7592–3 [117] Dark Sky ParkDesignated on August 28, 2013 [118]
Flag of the United States.svg  United States Clayton Lake State Park New Mexico 79.63Dark Sky ParkDesignated June 29, 2010 [119]
Flag of the United States.svg  United States El Morro National Monument New Mexico 5173Dark Sky ParkDesignated December 2019
Flag of the United States.svg  United States Fort Union National Monument New Mexico 2902-3Dark Sky ParkDesignated September 2019
Flag of the United States.svg  United States Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument New Mexico 3992Dark Sky ParkDesignated September 2016
Flag of the United States.svg  United States Tonto National Monument New Mexico 4504-4.5Dark Sky ParkDesignated May 2019
Flag of the United States.svg  United States Tumacácori National Historical Park New Mexico 1504-4.5Dark Sky ParkDesignated May 2018
Flag of the United States.svg  United States Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge New Mexico 2306Urban Night Sky PlaceDesignated October 2019
Flag of the United States.svg  United States Valles Caldera National Preserve New Mexico 361003Dark Sky ParkDesignated February 2021
Flag of the United States.svg  United States Geauga Observatory Park Ohio 4504Dark Sky ParkDesignated on August 20, 2011 [120]
Flag of the United States.svg  United States Oregon Outback Oregon 1,007,421Dark Sky SanctuaryDesignated on March 11, 2024 [121]
Flag of the United States.svg  United States Prineville Reservoir State Park Oregon 1202-3Dark Sky ParkDesignated May 2021
Flag of the United States.svg  United States Cherry Springs State Park Pennsylvania 4302 [122] Dark Sky ParkDesignated as a State DSP in 2000 by the Pennsylvania DCNR;
Designated as an International DSP on June 11, 2007, by the IDA.
Flag of the United States.svg  United States Bee Cave Texas 2,2219Dark Sky CommunityDesignated 2023
Flag of the United States.svg  United States Big Bend National Park Texas 324,2193-4Dark Sky ParkDesignated February 11, 2012 [123]
Flag of the United States.svg  United States Big Bend Ranch State Park Texas 125,8002-3Dark Sky ParkDesignated November 2017 [124]
Flag of the United States.svg  United States Black Gap Wildlife Management Area Texas 41,6803Dark Sky SanctuaryDesignated August 2021 [125]
Flag of the United States.svg  United States Copper Breaks State Park Texas 7823Dark Sky ParkDesignated August 6, 2014 [126]
Flag of the United States.svg  United States Devils River State Natural Area — Del Norte Unit Texas 8,0302-3Dark Sky SanctuaryDesignated January 2019
Flag of the United States.svg  United States Dripping Springs Texas 30,3005Dark Sky CommunityDesignated February 11, 2014 [127]
Flag of the United States.svg  United States Enchanted Rock State Natural Area Texas 6822Dark Sky ParkDesignated August 6, 2014 [126]
Flag of the United States.svg  United States Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park Texas 6403Dark Sky ParkDesignated November 2021
Flag of the United States.svg  United States Milton Reimers Ranch Park Texas 9824.5Dark Sky ParkDesignated November 2021 [128]
Flag of the United States.svg  United States UBarU Camp and Retreat Center Texas 57.52–3Dark Sky ParkDesignated in 2015; only DSP in the USA on private land [129]
Flag of the United States.svg  United States Antelope Island State Park Utah 11,6604.5Dark Sky ParkDesignated April 2017 [130]
Flag of the United States.svg  United States Arches National Park Utah 31,0003-4Dark Sky ParkDesignated July 2019 [131]
Flag of the United States.svg  United States Bryce Canyon National Park Utah 14,5002-3Dark Sky ParkDesignated August 2019 [132]
Flag of the United States.svg  United States Canyonlands National Park Utah 136,5002-3Dark Sky ParkDesignated August 2015 [133]
Flag of the United States.svg  United States Capitol Reef National Park Utah 99,0001Dark Sky ParkDesignated April 2015 [134]
Flag of the United States.svg  United States Cedar Breaks National Monument Utah 2,4903Dark Sky ParkDesignated March 2017 [135]
Flag of the United States.svg  United States Dead Horse Point State Park Utah 2,1703Dark Sky ParkDesignated June 2016 [136]
Flag of the United States.svg  United States East Canyon State Park Utah 2954Dark Sky ParkDesignated August 2020
Flag of the United States.svg  United States Fremont Indian State Park Utah 4862-3Dark Sky ParkDesignated March 2021
Flag of the United States.svg  United States Goblin Valley State Park Utah 40123-4Dark Sky ParkDesignated September 2016
Flag of the United States.svg  United States Goosenecks State Park Utah 404Dark Sky ParkDesignated March 2021
Flag of the United States.svg  United States Jordanelle State Park Utah 2,7104.5Dark Sky ParkDesignated January 2021
Flag of the United States.svg  United States Natural Bridges National Monument Utah 3,0902Dark Sky ParkDesignated in 2007; first international dark-sky park [5]
Flag of the United States.svg  United States North Fork Park Utah 1,0004.5Dark Sky ParkDesignated 2015 [137]
Flag of the United States.svg  United States Rainbow Bridge National Monument Utah 41,4005Dark Sky ParkDesignated April 2018
Flag of the United States.svg  United States Rockport State Park Utah 4804Dark Sky ParkDesignated January 2021
Flag of the United States.svg  United States Timpanogos Cave National Monument Utah 1005Urban Night Sky PlaceDesignated September 2020
Flag of the United States.svg  United States Zion National Park Utah 58,8003Dark Sky ParkDesignated June 2021 [138]
Flag of the United States.svg  United States Sky Meadows State Park Virginia 7544.5Dark Sky ParkDesignated April 2021 [139]
Flag of the United States.svg  United States Goldendale Observatory Washington 2Dark Sky ParkDesignated June 29, 2010 [119]
Flag of the United States.svg  United States Newport State Park Wisconsin 9603Dark Sky ParkDesignated in 2017 [140] [141]

Protected zones

Around observatories

NameCountryRadius (in km)
Mount John University Observatory New Zealand37
Kitt Peak US56
Mont Mégantic Observatory Canada50
Palomar Observatory US48
Mount Hopkins US40
Monte Ekar Observatory Italy30
Asiago Astrophysical Observatory Italy30
Mount Laguna US24
Observatoire de Haute-Provence France15
Ondřejov Observatory Czech Republic10
Kleť Czech Republic10
Dominion Astrophysical Observatory Canada5
McDonald Observatory US92
Molėtai Astronomical Observatory Lithuania3.5

Other

Some regions, like the following, are protected without any reference to an observatory or a park.

By country

Canada

In the Canadian program, lighting within the area must be strictly controlled to minimize the impact of artificial lighting on wildlife. These guidelines are more stringent than in other countries that lack the extensive wilderness areas that still exist in Canada. The management of a Canadian DSP extends their outreach programs from the public that visit the site to include the promotion of better lighting policies in surrounding urban areas. Currently, dark-sky preserves have more control over internal and external lighting than other programs.

With the increase in regional light pollution, some observatories have actively worked with cities in their region to establish protection zones where there is controlled light pollution. These areas may not yet have been declared dark-sky preserves.

Although dark-sky preserve designations are generally sought by astronomers, it is clear that preserving natural darkness has positive effects on the health of nocturnal wildlife within the parks. For example, the nocturnal black-footed ferret was reintroduced to the Grasslands National Park dark-sky preserve and the success of the reintroduction is enhanced by the pristine natural darkness maintained within the park by the DSP agreement. [143]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Light pollution</span> Excess artificial light in an environment

Light pollution is the presence of any unwanted, inappropriate, or excessive artificial lighting. In a descriptive sense, the term light pollution refers to the effects of any poorly implemented lighting sources, during the day or night. Light pollution can be understood not only as a phenomenon resulting from a specific source or kind of pollution, but also as a contributor to the wider, collective impact of various sources of pollution.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Warrumbungle National Park</span> Protected area in New South Wales, Australia

Warrumbungle National Park is a heritage listed national park located in the Orana region of New South Wales, Australia. The national park is located approximately 550 kilometres (340 mi) northwest of Sydney and contained within 23,311 hectares. The park attracts approximately 35,000 visitors per annum.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fountain Hills, Arizona</span> Town in Maricopa County, Arizona

Fountain Hills is a town in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States. Known for its impressive fountain, once the tallest in the world, it borders the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation, Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, and Scottsdale. The population was 23,820 as of the 2020 census. Between the 1990 and 2000 censuses it was the eighth-fastest-growing place among cities and towns in Arizona. The median value of an owner-occupied housing during the period 2016-2020 was estimated at $402,100.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nature reserve</span> Protected area for flora, fauna or features of geological interest

A nature reserve is a protected area of importance for flora, fauna, funga, or features of geological or other special interest, which is reserved and managed for purposes of conservation and to provide special opportunities for study or research. They may be designated by government institutions in some countries, or by private landowners, such as charities and research institutions. Nature reserves fall into different IUCN categories depending on the level of protection afforded by local laws. Normally it is more strictly protected than a nature park. Various jurisdictions may use other terminology, such as ecological protection area or private protected area in legislation and in official titles of the reserves.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve</span> National monument in Idaho, United States

Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve is a U.S. national monument and national preserve in the Snake River Plain in central Idaho. It is along US 20, between the small towns of Arco and Carey, at an average elevation of 5,900 feet (1,800 m) above sea level.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Protected areas of the United States</span> Legally protected land, eg national parks

The protected areas of the United States are managed by an array of different federal, state, tribal and local level authorities and receive widely varying levels of protection. Some areas are managed as wilderness, while others are operated with acceptable commercial exploitation. As of 2022, the 42,826 protected areas covered 1,235,486 km2 (477,024 sq mi), or 13 percent of the land area of the United States. This is also one-tenth of the protected land area of the world. The U.S. also had a total of 871 National Marine Protected Areas, covering an additional 1,240,000 sq mi (3,200,000 km2), or 26 percent of the total marine area of the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grasslands National Park</span> National park in Saskatchewan, Canada

Grasslands National Park is a Canadian national park located near the village of Val Marie, Saskatchewan, and one of 44 national parks and park reserves in Canada's national park system. This national park is north of the U.S. state of Montana and lies adjacent to the international boundary. It consists of two separate parcels, the East Block and West Block.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">DarkSky International</span> Environmental organization

DarkSky International, formerly the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) is a United States-based non-profit organization incorporated in 1988 by founders David Crawford, a professional astronomer, and Tim Hunter, a physician and amateur astronomer. The mission of DarkSky is "to preserve and protect the night time environment and our heritage of dark skies through quality outdoor lighting."

The dark-sky movement is a campaign to reduce light pollution. The advantages of reducing light pollution include an increased number of stars visible at night, reducing the effects of electric lighting on the environment, improving the well-being, health and safety of people and wildlife, and cutting down on energy usage. Earth Hour and National Dark-Sky Week are two examples of such efforts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Protected areas of California</span> Protected environmental areas of California, US

According to the California Protected Areas Database (CPAD), in the state of California, United States, there are over 14,000 inventoried protected areas administered by public agencies and non-profits. In addition, there are private conservation areas and other easements. They include almost one-third of California's scenic coastline, including coastal wetlands, estuaries, beaches, and dune systems. The California State Parks system alone has 270 units and covers 1.3 million acres (5,300 km2), with over 280 miles (450 km) of coastline, 625 miles (1,006 km) of lake and river frontage, nearly 18,000 campsites, and 3,000 miles (5,000 km) of hiking, biking, and equestrian trails.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tourism in Belize</span>

Tourism in Belize has grown considerably recently, and it is now the second largest industry in the nation. Belizean Prime Minister Dean Barrow has stated his intention to use tourism to combat poverty throughout the country. The growth in tourism has positively affected the agricultural, commercial, and finance industries, as well as the construction industry. The results for Belize's tourism-driven economy have been significant, with the nation welcoming almost one million tourists in a calendar year for the first time in its history in 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rockport State Recreation Area</span> State park in Michigan, United States

Rockport State Recreation Area is a 4,237-acre (17.15 km2) state park located along the shore of Lake Huron in Alpena and Presque Isle counties in the state of Michigan. It is operated by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and was established in 2012. The park contains limestone formations and an old limestone quarry. There is a deep water boat launch that can accommodate all sizes of watercraft. The park is located along the Lake Huron Flyway and is used to gauge the health of Lake Huron and its shoreline environment. Several ship wrecks can be found off-shore in the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary including the Portland and the Portsmouth. The park was previously known as "The Rockport property" and is not far north of Alpena, Michigan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve</span>

The Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve is a 1,416-square-mile (3,670 km2) dark-sky preserve near the Sawtooth National Recreation Area, in the U.S. state of Idaho. It was designated on December 18, 2017 and is the first gold-tier dark sky preserve in the United States. The area was designated by International Dark-Sky Association. The area includes the city of Ketchum, Idaho which was separately designated a "Dark Sky Community" in 2017. Idaho State Highway 75 in the Sawtooth Valley between Redfish Lake and Pettit Lake roughly traverses the reserve's "core areas". Several sky quality meters are installed along State Highway 75 in this area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve</span> Dark sky reserve in New Zealand

The Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve is an area of 4,367 km2 (1,686 sq mi) that was designated as an International Dark Sky Reserve by the International Dark-Sky Association in June 2012. The reserve is located in the Mackenzie District in the South Island of New Zealand. At the time of the designation in 2012, the reserve was the largest in the world, and the only reserve of its type in the Southern Hemisphere.

The Wairarapa Dark Sky Reserve is an International Dark Sky Reserve in the Wairarapa region in the southern part of the North Island of New Zealand. The reserve was designated by DarkSky International in January 2023. It was the second dark sky reserve to be certified in New Zealand. The area covered by the reserve is 3,665 km2 (1,415 sq mi) and includes the Aorangi Forest Park, and the South Wairarapa and Carterton Districts.

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