2015 already has been an unprecedented year for the Virginia chapter of IDA with more concern for Virginia's night and its skies than ever. Laura Graham and I have been busy responding to "SOS calls" and requests for presentations, event displays, and support for Virginia's first proposed Dark Sky Place. We've assisted local advocates, delivered several presentations (with more on the schedule), and soon we'll know if Staunton River State Park in southside Virginia will be the next Dark Sky Park! Check out this and other news:
1) Events
2) News Williamsburg lights up; Staunton River State Park turns them down (and out); City of Staunton celebrates the night for Earth Day
3) Member recognition
EVENTS
- Paul Bogard's "The End of Night" is Handley Library's 2015 One Book, One Community selection. Paul will be speaking at Daniel Morgan Middle School in Winchester on September 23rd so if you are local to the northern Shenandoah Valley please mark your calendar!
- upcoming
presentations by Va. IDA
Monday, July 13th Shenandoah Astronomical Society, Lord Fairfax Community College, Middletown, VA
Saturday, July 25th Potomac Audubon Society, Kearneysville, WV 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. For details, visit here.
Thursday, September 17th Blandy Experimental Farm (State Arboretum of Virginia), Boyce, VA 7:00 p.m. This is part of the One Book, One Community series of events. Details later.
(earlier 2015 presentations included: Newtown Historic District Neighborhood Association Winter Social, Staunton; Star Party hosted by Chapel Hill Astronomical and Observational Society at Staunton River State Park; and Richmond Astronomical Society)
LOCAL NEWS AND ACTION
Colonial Williamsburg to uplight historic buildings
In April the Williamsburg Architectural Review Board approved Colonial Williamsburg's proposal to use uplighting on eight historic buildings. Va. IDA provided support to a long-time IDA member who consistently advocated for dark-sky best practices. While Va. IDA was and is opposed to uplighting of historic buildings, the thorough, articulate, and respectful participation in the public comment process did result in a curfew and a Color Correlated Temperature limit below 3,000K. Read local coverage of the decision here. An article in a different online publication gave more attention to our concerns, but is no longer available. Va. IDA's Williamsburg presence will continue to monitor the implementation of the illumination.
Staunton River State Park applies for Dark Sky Park certification
When the Chapel Hill Astronomical and Observational Society was looking for an accessible dark sky location for observation gatherings and Star Parties they crossed the North Carolina border to Virginia's Staunton River State Park and became our most determined and effective advocates for night sky conservation and responsible outdoor lighting. Over the past several years they've forged a strong bond with the park's staff and the surrounding communities. The partnership evolved into a plan to create an IDA-certified Dark Sky Park in Virginia. Read about Staunton River's bid for Dark Sky Place status here.
Staunton (Shenandoah Valley) Makes Earth Day All About the Night
And further west the city of Staunton made Starry Nights the theme of its Earth Day celebration. The Earth Day committee also gave public recognition to members of the community that have employed shielded fixtures.
MEMBER RECOGNITION
A big thank you to Sue Mayes and Barbara Fore of Henrico County for providing us with a dozen or more copies of IDA's Fighting Light Pollution: Smart Solutions for Individuals and Communities. We use these as door prizes at presentations and to provide free to new advocates grappling with light pollution problems in their neighborhoods and communities. Thank you!
Sincerely,
Laura Greenleaf
co-leader, Va. chapter of the International Dark Sky Association
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