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Photo credit: Christopher V. Sh
ECOLOGY OF DARKNESSDARK SKIES & Why They Matter
Bridget Langdale
International Dark Sky Association IDA DELGEGATE
Texas Master NaturalistHill Country Alliance Dark Sky
Astronomical LeagueHill Country Astronomy Club
Mason Star Gazers
Milky Way over Pedernales Falls State
LIGHT POLLUTIONIT NEEDS OUR PROTECTION
•
Wayfinding Task Performance
Why Do We Light?
Aesthetics
LIGHT POLLUTION SIDE EFFECT: INDUSTRIAL CIVILIZATION
• building exterior and interior lighting,
• advertising, commercial properties, offices, factories
• streetlights, and illuminated sporting venues.
The fact = much outdoor lighting used at night is • inefficient
• overly bright
• poorly targeted
• improperly shielded, and, in many cases,
• completely unnecessary
• It’s NOT focused on it’s intended purpose.
Serious Problem
Simple Solution
• IDA (International Dark Sky Association (www.darksky.org) 1988
• International Dark Sky Places program.
Show ordinary people you can make a positive change with simple solutions
• IDA’s recommendations can function in a way that is both feasible and has a massive impact.
Dark Sky ResolutionsCounties with resolutions:BanderaBlancoBurnetComalEdwardsHaysGillespieKerrKimbleLlanoMasonRealUvalde
Dark Sky Ordinances
Cities with ordinances:AustinBanderaBee CaveBlancoBoerneBulverdeDripping SpringsFredericksburgHelotesJohnson CityKyleLakewayLlanoMasonNew BraunfelsSan AntonioSan MarcosSunset ValleyWest Lake HillsWimberley
IDA Dark Sky Places
Dark Sky Communities are legally organized cities and towns that adopt quality outdoor lighting ordinances and undertake efforts to educate residents about the importance of dark skies
Designated communities:Dripping SpringsWimberleyHorseshoe Bay
Currently Applying:BlancoFredericksburg
IDA Dark Sky Places
Dark Sky Parks are publicly- or privately-owned spaces protected for natural conservation that implement good outdoor lighting and provide dark sky programs for visitors.
Designated Parks:Enchanted RockUBarUSouth Llano River
Currently Applying:Lost MaplesReimersRanchLBJ National Park
Why does light pollution matter?
1. Night Sky Heritage2. Wildlife3. Human Health4. Crime5. Traffic6. Finance7. Astronomy
Why does light pollution matter?
1. Night Sky: Heritage, culture, wonder
Stars glow over the Texas Hill Country. Photo by Ralph Arvesen (licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0)
Why does light pollution matter?
1. Night Sky: Heritage, culture, wonder2. Wildlife: Insects, birds, mammals, ecosystems
1. Bats, fish, predators, plants, butterflies, pollinators
BIRDS• Migration: (use moon/stars)
• Crash/exhaustion
• 450 species effected
• Seabirds also • Offshore drilling• Fisherman lights
SEA TURTLES
FIREFLIES*Mating disrupted
MOTHS:*vulnerable to predators
….artificial lights at night interfere with the ability of plants to produce seeds, and for moths and other nocturnal pollinators to gather food
Why does light pollution matter?
Human Health: Sleep disorders, metabolism, cancer
LESS SLEEP? MIGHT BE BECAUSE OF SMARTPHONES.
LACK OF SLEEP ISN'T JUST LINKED TO CHRONIC CONDITIONS
SLEEP AND MELATONIN
• We need ‘restorative sleep
• Biggest issue is …Melatonin and Blue Light
• Melatonin production• Keeps us healthy
• Antioxidant properties• Induces sleep
• Boosts immune system
• Lowers cholesterol• Helps thyroid, pancreas, ovaries, testes and adrenal glands
CRIME AND SAFETY
“Dark Sky”≠
Dark Ground
BRIGHTER DOESN’T MEAN SAFER
• Studies by the US Department of Justice & the National Institute of Justice show no conclusive evidence that lighting prevents crime.
• Glare from bright, unshielded lights actually decreases safety because it shines into our eyes and constricts our pupils. Blinding & also makes it more difficult for our eyes to adjust to low-light conditions.
• Smart lighting: Create a balance between safety and starlight.
• Visibility should always be the goal.
GLARE KILLS VISIBILITYGOOD VISIBILITY = SAFETY &
SECURITY!
Photos courtesy of Cliff Hass.
ENTRANCE SAFETY
• Shield down….Reduce Glare
LIGHT TRESPASS
Traffic Glare
GLARE
Saving Money• Only on when needed: • use switches and sensors• Not more than is needed for a specific task
No One Owns The Term “Dark Sky”
What is good lighting?
Wasted Light
Useful Light
CONTROLS TO HELP YOU
Timers Dimmers Photocells
MOTION SENSORS
HOW TO START A CONVERSATION?
There are 146 Lowe's Market stores open in the chain in Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and Colorado.
HTTPS://WWW.DARKSKY.ORG/IDA-ACCEPTING-APPLICATIONS-FOR-COMMUNITY-
FRIENDLY-SPORTS-LIGHTING-DESIGN-CERTIFICATION/
IDA Announces Lighting Guidelines for Electronic Messaging Centers
AWARENESS CALL TO ACTION
1. Your Property
2. Talk to your friends and meet your neighbors
3. Work with your community. Schools. Real Estate Personnel. City Council. County Commissioners. Retail businesses.
www.darksky.orgwww.hillcountryalliance.org
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER14, 2019
• River Side Nature Center in Kerrville
• Register: Bridget = bsl@rabbit66.com
(limited Participants)
Agenda:
8:30 – 12:00 Learn PresentationGive PresentationLunch (on your own)
EVERYDAY NEEDS A NIGHT
www.hillcountryalliance.org/HCA/NightSkiesCliff Kaplan
Cliff Kaplan <cliff@hillcountryalliance.org>
www.darksky.orgInternational Dark Sky Association (IDA)
“Join IDA and the TEXAS chapter”BettyMaya Fotts
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