Save the Night | Be the Solution, Stop Light Pollution
What would it take for Nantucket to be certified as a "Dark Sky Community"?
Presentation by the Director of Conservation for DarkSky International (formerly known as the International Dark-Sky Association) (Nantucket Lights Public Meeting, Jan. 18, 2022)
International Dark Sky Places Program
The IDSP Program
What is an International Dark Sky Community?
What is an International Dark Sky Community?
DarkSky International (formerly known as the International Dark Sky Association) established the International Dark Sky Places Program in 2001 to recognize excellent stewardship of the night sky.
IDSP designations are based on a showing of stringent outdoor lighting standards and innovative community outreach.
An IDSP designation helps enhance the visibility of the designated locations and foster increased tourism and local economic activity.
There are five possible designations:
- International Dark Sky Communities
- International Dark Sky Parks
- International Dark Sky Reserves
- International Dark Sky Sanctuaries
- Urban Night Sky Places
The International Dark Sky Community designation would be the one applicable to Nantucket (island-wide) if it were able to meet the program's standards.
What is an International Dark Sky Community?
What is an International Dark Sky Community?
What is an International Dark Sky Community?
An International Dark Sky Community is defined by DarkSky International as "a town, city, municipality or other legally organized community that has shown exceptional dedication to the preservation of the night sky through the implementation and enforcement of a quality outdoor lighting ordinance, dark sky education and citizen support of dark skies."
To qualify for this designation, a community must show:
- A comprehensive lighting policy that satisfies specified standards for permanent outdoor lighting installations.
- Community commitment to dark skies as shown by Town/City-owned lighting that conforms with the lighting policy and municipal support of dark skies as demonstrated by city publications, flyers, public service announcements, funding of lighting upgrades, etc.
- Broad support for dark skies from a wide range of community organizations.
- Community commitment to dark sky education as shown by two community events every year, inclusion of dark sky awareness Information in written materials for residents and visitors, and/or inclusion of dark sky education in community schools and curriculum.
- Demonstrated success in light pollution control.
- A sky brightness measurement program to track the evolution of light pollution in the community.
Nantucket Dark Sky Community?
What is an International Dark Sky Community?
Nantucket Dark Sky Community?
Nantucket is definitely a potential candidate for the International Dark Sky Community designation. The adoption of a new outdoor lighting bylaw at Town Meeting in May 2023 and the Sky Quality Monitoring that we are doing in partnership with the Maria Mitchell Association are important steps towards achieving this, but a number of other things would have to happen before it could qualify.
First, all the outdoor lighting owned by the Town that doesn't meet the standards incorporated into the new outdoor lighting bylaw would need to be identified and the Town would need to commit to bringing all of it into compliance and provide an action plan.
Second, the Town would need to be convinced to demonstrate its commitment to our dark skies through publications and public service announcements.
Third, success in light pollution control would have to be demonstrated by showing the renovation of some homes and/or business to bring them into compliance with the outdoor lighting bylaw adopted in 2023.
LET US KNOW WHICH OF THESE YOU WOULD LIKE TO HELP WITH!
Do you want to help preserve Nantucket's dark skies?
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