Dark Sky Campus Policy Saves Money, Prevents Vandalism

Dark Campus policies are nothing new, but they have not been commonly used in the United States or do not get much attention.  That's why Culpeper County's successful program, in place for more than a decade, has flown under the radar.  A DarkSky Virginia member recently interviewed Culpeper County Public Schools' director of facilities to get the details of their program, learn from their experience,  and share it with other localities and school systems. With ten elementary, middle, and high schools plus two education centers serving almost 9,000 students, Culpeper County can serve as a model for schools and systems of all scales. 

The Dark Campus Program enacted in 2010 in Culpeper County Public Schools mandates that all lights controlled by the school system at all twelve schools in the district are turned off from 11:00 PM until 6:00 AM and all weekend.  Mr. Doug Robson, Director of Facilities Services with Culpeper County Public Schools   said the program has been a huge success, in terms of saving thousands of dollars each year in utility costs and stopping costly vandalism.  

When asked how the dark campus program virtually eliminated vandalism, Mr. Robson explained that potential vandals can’t see what they’re doing, so the lack of light makes vandalism harder to perpetrate. In addition, those who live near the schools are very supportive in calling the police when they see unauthorized lights on the campuses.  Exceptions are made and automatic timers turn the lights on in the case of late school activities, like dances, or students arriving late from away games.  The program was based on a studies conducted in Canada.  A summary of the findings may be found at https://getrede.ca/dark-campus-strategies-k-12-schools/

You may contact Mr. Robson at wrobson@ccpsweb.org, or 540-825-0661 X3145 for additional information about the program.  See the school board policy below.

 

 FECBA-BR3

CULPEPER COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD

DARK CAMPUS PROGRAM

The Culpeper County School Board recognizes that implementing a dark campus

program that turns off all outside lights at each facility when not occupied, will possibly reduce

vandalism, and the cost associated with it, and also increase energy cost savings. The School

Division will put into practice the following procedures in each of the division’s school sites:

 1. Blackout hours will be set at each site from 11:00 PM to 6:00 AM, unless the school is

occupied or the outdoor facilities are being used for a school or community function.

 2. The school site will be off limits during blackout hours, unless previous permission has been granted by the School Board.

 3. The community and local officials will be notified of blackout times at each location. Any

lights seen during the blackout hours should be reported to local officials.

 4. The School Board will provide and post signs, in prominent locations, with emergency

numbers to call for each site.

 5. The community and local officials will be notified of any changes to the blackout hours via

media or parent information newsletters

.Adopted: October 11, 2010

Reviewed: June 10, 2024

Bird Safe Hampton Roads Takes Off

DarkSky Virginia applauds a new and energized campaign in the Hampton Roads region to make the skyline safer and more navigable for migratory birds making their treacherous, long journey up the East Coast. 

Learn more at Bird Safe Hampton Roads (birdsafehr.org)

2023 Accomplishments for DarkSky Virginia

 

In 2023 the International Dark-Sky Association (or IDA) became DarkSky International, and the Virginia Chapter of IDA became DarkSky Virginia.  If you didn't notice, it's okay! It's true--we don't have a big, obvious presence. This is our website and we aren't on social media. We do not have independent 501(c)3 status or a board of directors. But that doesn't mean we aren't an active chapter. In our informal way, we are very active!  Here are some examples of our work in 2023: 

• Five presentations by chapter representative Laura Greenleaf, in person and virtual, including at the Virginia Living Museum
• Support for Virginia's five Dark Sky Parks
• The launch of a Charlottesville-based local advocacy group, Dark Skies Piedmont (you can find them on Facebook)
• Formation of a new regional chapter DarkSky NOVA
• Delegate status for members in Staunton
• Formal comment to Loudoun County Board of Supervisors and Planning Commission on outdoor lighting ordinance and resource support to local advocates
• Advocacy for environmentally responsible outdoor lighting to the Science Museum of VA (see post below)
• A published article by Genevieve de Messieres in Loudoun Wander magazine: https://www.wanderloudoun.com/magazine/2023-spring-summer
• Support for Turner Farm Observatory's application as an Urban Dark Sky Place
• Advocacy in Norfolk for a Lights Out campaign
• Responses to all inquiries and requests for assistance

               . . . and more!

If you are not yet a member, please consider becoming a member of DarkSky. if you live in Virginia, when you join DarkSky International, you become a member of our Virginia chapter. And when you support DarkSky, you support our volunteer efforts here in Virginia because we rely on DarkSky's amazing staff and the resources they provide.  

Want to explore how you can help DarkSky Virginia? Please email Laura at lauragreenleaf@verizon.net

Fairfax County a Leader with New Lighting Ordinance

As 2023 came to a close, Great Falls marked a milestone in responsible outdoor lighting policy and practice. Fairfax County's new observatory-centered lighting ordinance (an overlay district) is the result of nearly three years of efforts by dedicated advocates with the park authority and the Analemma Society as they pursue an Urban Night Sky Place designation with DarkSky International. 

Regulations Limit Light Pollution at Turner Farm Park Observatory (northernvirginiamag.com)