Sisters earns Dark Skies designation

Sisters was certified as an International DarkSky Community this month by DarkSky International, making the city the second community in Oregon to be so designated (Antelope announced their designation several weeks ago). Sisters is the sixth International DarkSky Place in Oregon, joining such places as the Oregon Outback to the east and Oregon Caves National Monument.

Photo by Brian Jennings

Comet Atlas over North Sister. Preserving such spectacular sights is the goal of Dark Skies advocates.

The designation is the culmination of many years of dark sky advocacy by the Sisters community to help bring about awareness of the importance of preserving our nighttime skies for current and future generations to experience its wonder and to protect the wildlife that depend on darkness. It is also an opportunity to further that education and to retrofit poor lighting, ensure responsible lighting going forward, and market the related tourism benefits the designation brings to a largely tourist-dependent community.

Bill Kowalik, PhD, chairperson of DarkSky Oregon, issued the following statement:

"The City of Sisters has now set a community standard for responsible outdoor lighting in Oregon. It's a standard that benefits residents, visitors, and the surrounding wild environment. This international certification brings recognition to Sisters, known to visitors for culture and arts, and now globally, for environmental protection of dark skies, too."

The effort to protect the night skies over Sisters began over 20 years ago, started by members of the Sisters Astronomy Club and the students in the astronomy program at Sisters High School, led by science teacher Rima Givot. Efforts included:

• Education through city newsletters and website, social media, newspaper articles, and flyers placed at public buildings and community events.

• Recent, wholesale update to the City's Dark Skies Outdoor Lighting Ordinance incorporating the required elements to apply for DarkSky certification.

• Establishment of astronomy curriculum education in the high school and formation of an Astronomy Club for students and adults.

• Commitment from the Sisters City Council to explore replacement or retrofit of publicly owned lighting that does not conform to the lighting ordinance.

• City staff ensuring compliance of new public and private lighting with the recently updated outdoor lighting ordinance (designed to comply with all DarkSky requirements).

• Regular collection of data and readings on outdoor lighting levels and monitoring of the impact of sky glow on our community.

• Letters of support from the Mayor, Oregon Chapter of the International DarkSky Association, and multiple local business owners and residents.

Photo by Jarod Gatley

Sisters' dark skies are one of the features that attract residents and visitors to this beautiful part of the world.

Members of the Sisters Dark Sky Committee who worked to earn the international certification include: Scott Woodford, community development director; Rima Givot, Sisters High School science teacher; Scott Humpert, executive director of Explore Sisters; Ron Thorkildson, Sisters Astronomy Club; and Sue Stafford, freelance writer. Many other people made valuable contributions over the years to this effort including Mel Bartels and Barbara Bajec, amateur astronomers, other members of Sisters Astronomy Club, local photographers, City staff, past Sisters City Councils, and numerous local citizens who encouraged the efforts.

High school science teacher Givot expressed her appreciation for the community's desire to protect the night sky over Sisters:

"Being able to gaze at an infinite sea of stars and feel our place in the universe has been an integral part of living in Sisters. The community values caring for and connecting with the natural world and came together to make sure the legacy of our starry skies continues. The DarkSky community certification will ensure that we can continue to feel wonder as we gaze at the Milky Way on a clear night over the mountains and feel our sense of place and connection."

According to Community Development Director Woodford, "With the recent adoption of the City's Dark Skies Outdoor Lighting Ordinance and this designation as an International DarkSky Community, next will be a big push in the community for education - both on the benefits of preserving the dark skies and how residents and business owners can help achieve that with retrofits of non-compliant lighting. This will be done with articles in the local newspaper, community events such as star gazing parties, and providing funding assistance to the community to change out old lights."

Former Mayor of Sisters Michael Preedin has been a staunch advocate for securing the DarkSky certification and had this to say:

"Way to go Sisters! I am proud to announce that Sisters is officially a DarkSky certified city! We tried really hard to become the first City in Oregon with the designation, but alas, Antelope became the first city just weeks ago, so we will take pride in being the second. This is another accomplishment that the Sisters community can proudly enjoy. Fostering our local environment by removing light pollution is something that helps all of humanity, not to mention, hello, astro-tourism. What a great accomplishment!

"We all need to thank people that have been working on this for years before the City and the rest of the community joined the movement, namely the Sisters Astronomy Club. They created the momentum to see this through. We sure do punch above our weight!

"Moving forward, expect guidance on how the community can join in getting dark-skies ready. We plan on helping guide businesses and residences to changeout existing non-compliant light fixtures and help those that may need more assistance. We will also keep you informed of what the City and other public entities will be doing to also comply, as we are all in this together.

"Keep being Sisters!"

Founded in 2001, the International Dark Sky Places Program is a non-regulatory and voluntary program encouraging communities, parks, and protected areas worldwide to preserve and protect dark sites through effective lighting policies, environmentally responsible outdoor lighting, and public education. When used indiscriminately, artificial light can disrupt ecosystems, impact human health, waste money and energy, contribute to climate change, and block our view and connection to the universe. Sisters now joins more than 230 places that have demonstrated robust community support for dark sky advocacy and strive to protect the night from light pollution. For more information, visit https://darksky.org/what-we-do/international-dark-sky-places/.

The mission of DarkSky is to preserve and protect the nighttime environment and our heritage of dark skies through environmentally responsible outdoor lighting. Learn more at http://www.darksky.org, where the entry describing Sisters can also be found.