09/03/2022
Happy 10-year Anniversary to Big Bend as an International Dark Sky Park! On February 6, 2012, the park was awarded this designation by the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA). This designation recognized Big Bend's exceptional night sky quality as a resource worth protecting.
To achieve International Dark Sky Park status, park management, stakeholders, and visitors demonstrated a commitment to preserving natural dark nights by reducing light pollution. Older light fixtures were retrofitted and any new lighting must now meet rigorous standards to minimize impacts of artificial light on night sky visibility. Check out the image below to see the before-and-after effects of better lighting in the Chisos Basin.
10 years after our designation, Big Bend is proud to continue upholding this commitment. Darkness is both a natural and cultural resource that affects wildlife health, human health, and our shared human heritage. We protect the dark just like we protect the bears, the river, the cacti, the ruins, and the ancient canyons.
If you want to make your lighting at home more night-sky friendly, remember: light only what you need, specifically where you need it and when you need it. Make sure outdoor lights are fully shielded and pointed downwards, and use bulbs that are warm colored and no brighter than necessary. By making small changes to outdoor lighting, you may find opportunities to connect with starry night skies from your own backyard.
Learn more about how to protect our dark skies by visiting IDA's website at https://www.darksky.org/our-work/conservation/idsp/
There is a whole world that comes to life when the sun sets in the desert. Why is darkness important to you?
📷 by D. Duriscoe, NPS
