DARK SKIES AND NATURE CONSERVATION

The web site of the IUCN Dark Skies Advisory Group

INDEX

Basic statement

Advisory Group: role and members

World list of dark sky parks

Basic statement

We are creatures of light, but in recent centuries our technology has enabled us to push back the frontier of darkness, extending our work and leisure time well into the hours of twilight and darkness.  We tend to forget, however, that ecosystems and wild species operate 24 hours each day, seven days each week.  They have evolved to cope with, depend on and take advantage of natural darkness.  A night sky without artificial light is therefore vital to the proper functioning of natural ecosystems.  Artificial lighting affects species migration patterns, predator-prey relationships, and the circadian rhythms of many organisms, to name just a few of the consequences of light pollution.  Natural darkness is also essential to a full appreciation of our surroundings, to satisfy curiosity, to appreciate our  environment in all its facets, and to preserve our diverse cultural integrity.   However, compared to climate change, acid rain, exotic species, habitat destruction and other stresses, the need for natural darkness and the impacts of artificial lighting are often overlooked as we strive to protecting biodiversity and to appreciate the natural world and our cultural heritage.
 
There are at least nine reasons to reduce light pollution and to protect a natural night sky. They go beyond nature conservation to touch upon appropriate design and land development control policies.

• To preserve the ecological integrity of natural environments.
• To ensure the full enjoyment of a wilderness experience.
• To appreciate the integrity, character and beauty of rural landscapes.
• To protect and present the commemorative integrity (authenticity) of cultural sites.
• The preserve traditions that relate to celestial mythologies, navigation and other cultural aspects.
• The protect human health, both medical and psychological.
• To contribute to energy efficiency.
• To benefit scientific and amateur astronomy and the right to enjoy the night sky.
• To improve personal security through non-glare lighting in urban areas.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) recognizes the importance of natural darkness to the ecological integrity of protected areas, and to the sustainability of healthy lives in healthy cities.  The Dark Skies Advisory Group has been established within IUCN's World Commission on Protected Areas to help advance this recognition.  With the support of the International Association of Dark Sky Parks, the Group provides this web site to encourage protected areas and communities to embrace the concept and values of dark skies.  Web searches using terms like dark skies, dark sky preserve, scotobiology, ecology of the night, starlight reserve and light pollution abatement quickly reveal many useful and comprehensive web sites which provide guidance on intelligent lighting, enjoyment of the night sky, and understanding of the impacts of light pollution on humans and nature.  The Dark Skies Advisory Group does not and will not try to replicate these.  Rather, our aim is to promote IUCN endorsement of dark skies and to provide summaries of, and signposts to, further information.

For the International Union for Conservation of Nature:

David Welch, Chair, Dark Skies Advisory Group;
Ted Trzyna, Leader, Cities and Protected Areas Specialist Group; and
Nik Lopoukhine, Chair, World Commission on Protected Areas.

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Dark Skies Advisory Group (DSAG): role and members

Established in 2009, the Group provides advice and guidance on behalf of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) to other bodies in regards to light pollution and dark sky values, in particular as they relate to the ecological and commemorative integrity, visitor appreciation and public understanding of protected areas, and the long term maintenance of dark sky values for future generations.  In connection with IUCN's role as an Advisory Body to the World Heritage Convention, the Group will also advise, assess and make recommendations to the IUCN Secretariat in regards to World Heritage studies and nominations that address or touch upon dark skies and light pollution.

The group consists of members of the Cities and Protected Areas Specialist Group (www.interenvironment.org/pa/index.htm), which in turn reports to the World Commission on Protected Areas (www.iucn.org/about/union/commissions/wcpa) of IUCN (www.iucn.org).  Depending on the nature of the group's work, outcomes and products may be subject to approval of the Specialist Group or the Commission.

Group members volunteer their time, either within the scope of their employment or business or as private citizens.  This means that the Group does not have the capacity to respond to requests for advice from individuals.  Subject to its capacity and priorities as outline above, it will endeavour to respond to requests for advice directly from organizations.

As part of its advisory role, the Dark Skies Advisory Group web pages will be developed to provided summaries of key aspects of light pollution abatement and dark skies protection, such as the ecological impacts and tourism benefits.  These summaries will provide links to more comprehensive web sites endorsed by the DSAG.

As of January 2010, the members are as follows.

• George Davis, Urban Conservation Programme, National Biodiversity Institute (South Africa)
• Maguelonne Déjeant-Pons, Council of Europe (France)
• Eduardo Fayos-Solà, World Tourism Organization (Spain)
• István Gyarmathy, Hortobágy National Park (Hungary)
• John Hearnshaw, University of Canterbury (New Zealand)
• Dan Laffoley, Natural England (UK)
• Travis Longcore, The Urban Wildlands Group (USA)
• Cipriano Marin, UNESCO Starlight Initiative (Spain)
• Chad Moore, National Park Service (USA)
• Juan José Negro, Doñana Biological Station (Spain)
• Erika Pogačnik, International Association for Dark Sky Parks (Slovenia)
• Clive Ruggles, International Astronomical Union Working Group on Astronomy and World Heritage (UK)
• Neil Sinden, Campaign to Protect Rural England (UK)
• Ted Trzyna, ex officio as Leader, IUCN WCPA Cities and Protected Areas Specialist Group (USA)
• John Waugh, Semaphore Inc. (USA)
• David Welch, Chair, Dark Skies Advisory Group, IUCN (Canada)

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