Dark-Sky Camping

2009-11-20T09:39:00.000-06:00

An article in the Wall Street Journal on LP dealing with the Town of Barrington
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704204304574545764057426056.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

I read with great interest your article entitled "Everything Is Deluminated". We are facing the extinction of an entire ecosystem - the unpolluted night sky. Over 100 years ago a similar fate almost became of other untainted environments around our nation. People of wisdom and forethought banded together to preserve some of our greatest vistas and our national park system was founded. The same arguments you have mentioned are echoes from days gone by. Forests, minerals and fauna were simply there for the taking. To be ravaged without a care in the world. Extinction was mankind's legacy on the ecosystem.

Theodore Roosevelt fought hard against the self-serving interests and attitude you present. He fought for future generations that had no voice at meetings. He fought against extinction and raping of the land. He was a patriot as all are that work to preserve our nation for future generations.

A book about the flag published by Congress in 1977 states, "The star is a symbol of the heavens and the divine goal to which man has aspired from time immemorial.” We use it to symbolize honor, achievement and hope. The starry sky is the firmament, the roof of a divine cathedral, open to all.

If Americans were to fly flags representing the numbers of stars we can see at night, most of us would be flying a flag like the former Soviet Union. As Light Pollution worsens over the upcoming years, most of us will live to see the day the last 50 star flag is lowered and retired for good in the contiguous US.

So what’s the big deal about losing our ability to see the stars? Theodore Roosevelt once compared the loss of ocean birds being, “…like the loss of a gallery of the masterpieces of the artists of old time.” How can we measure or justify the loss of our aspirations, honor or hope? Can we really bulldoze that divine cathedral and replace it with a cave of twilight? Public parks and wilderness areas are a truly American invention and have been called our greatest legacy. But, they take care and vigilance to keep them unimpaired in beauty. For over 100 years, patriots such as Lincoln, Muir, Roosevelt and countless individuals and organizations have fought to protect these lands. Should we look into the eyes of our children and tell them we tried our best or do we pick up Old Glory, fallen on the battlefield, and fight the good fight? I challenge everyone not to sit idly by and watch the Star Spangled Banner fade into history, future generations demand better.

"The nation behaves well if it treats the natural resources as assets which it must turn over to the next generation increased, and not impaired in value." Theodore Roosevelt

EPA looking for summer intern to research strategies for reducing light pollution

2009-11-09T11:56:00.003-06:00

Project Overview:
EPA is responsible for protecting long-range visibility that may be affected by air pollutants. Air pollutants have the ability to both scatter and absorb light. They thus affect the ability of humans to clearly see distant objects, including scenic vistas and national monuments. However, night-sky visibility is affected less by traditional air pollutants, and more by artificial lighting around streets and buildings. Under this project, the fellow will research strategies for reducing light pollution that affects night-sky visibility that simultaneously conserve energy and reduce emissions of traditional air pollutants. The fellow will also research the effect of air pollutants and artificial lighting on night-sky visibility.

Listing
http://www.epa.gov/enviroed/NNEMS/2010115.html

NNEMS Program Materials
http://www.epa.gov/enviroed/NNEMS/2010pm.html
Note - Applications due by February 5, 2010

Wilderness Lost to Light Pollution

2009-11-09T11:54:00.002-06:00

“The nation behaves well if it treats the natural resources as assets which it must turn over to the next generation increased, and not impaired in value.” Theodore Roosevelt

The two researchers with the National Park Service’s Night Sky Team had arrived earlier in the evening, just before sunset. Packing their robotic camera and measurement equipment, they began a leisurely hike to the observation site. Only a short hike from the end of the road but exposed to the biting wind and cold. As astronomical twilight passed, they finished setting up their equipment and prepared to start taking measurements. It would take a couple of hours to get official results, but a quick scan around the horizon fueled their suspicions. What should be a glorious display of the Milky Way stretching from horizon to horizon instead had a halo of grey, like a cancer gnawing at the very foundation of the heavens. After a couple of quiet hours of taking measurements and documentation on Light Pollution, they reviewed the results.

“It’s official, six years earlier than expected,” said the first researcher.
“Is this the last one?” inquired the second.
“Yes.” muttered the first.
“Bryce Canyon, Arches, Natural Bridges, Craters of the Moon? All succumbed to Light Pollution?” the astonished researcher asked.
“Yes.” repeated the first.

After packing their equipment, they quietly walked back to their vehicle. They stored their equipment and the second researcher pulled out a bag that had been gathering dust for several years. He had been a bugler at Arlington National Cemetery and had not touched his bugle since laying his brother to rest. The loss of the last unpolluted night sky in the contiguous United States struck a chord as deeply as the loss of his brother. Something he cared deeply about had slipped away. The 24 notes of Taps echoed from the mountaintop. Wilderness had been lost.

--Wilderness is defined as "where man himself is a visitor who does not remain…which is protected and managed so as to preserve its natural conditions” The Wilderness Act of 1964

2008-12-08T11:13:00.002-06:00

We are getting ready for the 2009 legislative session. Here is our latest draft of the video.

Enjoy

Perry Lake, KS

2008-08-14T11:31:00.002-05:00

Perry Lake Light Pollution

Download the Full 10 Second Video

Watkins Woolen Mill State Park and State Historic Site

2008-08-04T09:26:00.003-05:00

Watkins Mill State Park Light Pollution

Download the Full 10 Second Video

Cuivre River State Park

2008-07-17T14:57:00.006-05:00

Cuivre River State Park Light Pollution

Download the Full 10 Second Video

Missouri Night Sky Protection Act - Video

2008-06-24T09:40:00.006-05:00

Missouri Night Sky Protection Act

Download Full Video

Starlight Imperiled

2008-04-28T08:22:00.005-05:00

A night under the stars conjures up a family tent next to a campfire under a star filled sky. It’s an opportunity to escape life’s hassles and let the kids experience the same sights and sounds their ancestors have. As the fire dies down, you lay back and peer into infinity hoping to catch a shooting star as the Milky Way sheds its warm glow.

For many of our state parks[1], the Milky Way has been replaced with sky glow, a component of light pollution caused by artificial lights. Light pollution is increasing on average 5%-10% in the US[2] every year. Terrel Gallaway, Missouri State economics professor, recently surveyed 4 national parks[3] and found that almost half of the respondents said that dark skies in the park were an “important” or “very important” reason in making their plans to travel to the park. Over two-thirds said that they had been bothered by sky glow in their home communities. Light pollution is related to energy waste and environmental issues[4].

A simple measure taken today can help ensure sensitive areas are protected for future generations to enjoy. The Kansas Night Sky Protection Act would require the state to monitor and maintain the natural sky above protected areas like state parks that allow camping. Over half the states have either passed or proposed laws to limit light pollution[5].

So, we are left with a simple question – Do we implement good lighting practices now or wait until the last child forgets what a starry night really is?

[1] http://mcrol.trianglealumni.org/ks.html
[2] http://www.lightpollution.it/dmsp/predictions.html
[3] http://www.nps.gov/grba/parknews/upload/winter2007big.pdf
[4] http://www.astrosociety.org/education/publications/tnl/74/uitc74.pdf
[5] http://www.serconline.org/darkSkies.html

KC Star - Letter to the Editor - Missouri Night Sky Protection Act

2008-03-13T08:35:00.002-05:00

I am writing you today to encourage the swift passage of the Missouri Night Sky Protection Act. As you have read on the site: http://missourinspa.googlepages.com, there are many great reasons to adopt light pollution restrictions over our state parks, both economic and environmental. What cannot be quantified are the hopes and aspirations of our children, grandchildren and future Missourians. A book about the US flag published by Congress in 1977 states: "The star is a symbol of the heavens and the divine goal to which man has aspired from time immemorial".

A night under the stars gives our citizens an escape from daily hassles and an opportunity to contemplate life's greater questions. It has inspired writers and artists throughout history and across cultures. The United Nations La Palma Starlight Declaration mentions: "...the Starlight vista has been and continues to be an inspiration of the mankind, and its contemplation represents an essential element in the development of scientific thoughts in all civilizations." The extinction of this public natural resource is the same as the loss of our Ozark streams or any other ecosystem.

We have a simple choice to make this session, now. Either we let our stars fade away over our state parks or embark on a voyage of discovery like Lewis & Clark and seek the truth about light pollution and the knowledge to remediate it.

http://mcrol.trianglealumni.org Midwest Citizens for Responsible Outdoor Lighting
http://darkskycamping.googlepages.com Boy Scouts
http://www.unesco.org/mab/starlight/doc/shortdeclaration.pdf United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization Starlight Declaration

Light Pollution Song

2007-09-26T09:18:00.000-05:00

Oh, Daddy, where did all the stars go
the ones that you said so
brought you peace in the fields of Vietnam
with chaos and death all around

Oh, Daddy, where did all the stars go
the ones that helped grandpa home
in his wounded bird of prey
high in the skies over Germany

Oh, Daddy, where did all the stars go
the ones you told my bro
would keep him through the endless night
in a dessert firefight

Oh, Daddy, what am I to do
the man says we can't bring them back for you
will I ever find a spot to lay you in the ground
with stars all around

Kansas City - City Planning Commission, September 18, 2007

2007-09-18T08:28:00.000-05:00

Originally, I planned to restate my previous speech about the exterior lighting ordinance given in the August 7 meeting; instead, I would like to thank the city for its current progress and talk a minute about why our city should adopt good light pollution policies.

Light pollution is waste. It does nothing to increase nighttime safety, utility or security. It is harmful to the nighttime ecosystem, a hazard and nuisance to those that must live, work and drive by it.

The National Park Service has tracked light pollution from cities as far as 200 miles away. What we do here in Kansas City affects the Western Half of Missouri and the Eastern Half of Kansas. Our light pollution affects our neighboring cities, counties, state parks and Scout Camps. What kind of neighbor are we?

95% of the State Parks in Missouri have at least Moderate light pollution problems. 75% are in the Severe category. The Heart of America Council for the Boy Scouts of America operates three camps for Kansas City area youth. Both Camp Naish and our Rotary Youth Camp have a night sky brightness of over 900% that of normal. Scouts attending these camps now sleep in twilight. Our special needs Scouts will never see the Milky Way, Halley’s Comet or even many of the simplest constellations at Rotary Camp without your leadership and action. These and all Scouts have taken an oath - upon their honor, to do their best, to do their duty, to God and their country. Can we honestly say we are doing our best for our neighbors, for our children?

Outside these council chambers are the pictures of our city leaders that have preceded us. One of the pictures is that of former Mayor H. Roe Bartle nicknamed “The Chief”. It is reported that owner Lamar Hunt liked Bartle’s nickname so much that he renamed the Dallas Texans to the Kansas City Chiefs. H. Roe Bartle also served as our local Scout Executive and our third Scout camp is named after him. A renowned public speaker, I find myself wondering what he would say, what he would do, if he were standing here today realizing his camp has lost its natural night sky to pollution?

The Scouting movement is celebrating its 100^th anniversary. What would our founder, Lord Baden-Powell say if he couldn’t show a young Scout how to navigate at night using the North Star because lights directed into the sky prevented him from seeing it? Scouting has a simple goal, using an outdoor-based program to teach our youth how to become good citizens.

Both our American and Missouri flags have stars on them. A book about the flag published by the Congress in 1977 states: "The star is a symbol of the heavens and the divine goal to which man has aspired from time immemorial”. George Washington is credited for saying: "We take the stars from Heaven, the red from our mother country, separating it by white stripes, thus showing that we have separated from her, and the white stripes shall go down to posterity representing Liberty." The stars have been mankind’s guides for thousands of years, what right do we have hiding them from our children and future generations?

We have recently found a legal case where a business was successfully sued for exceeding light trespass pre and post curfew standards identified in IESNA RP-33-99 even though the city didn’t have light trespass standards. Shouldn’t we look at adopting something similar to these simple restrictions?

Our current city ordinances have language to prohibit lights shinning into the sky, has restrictions for light trespass for commercial properties and a lighting curfew for outdoor display lots, why would we seek to loosen these instead of making them tighter. Our Missouri State Motto is, "Salus Populi Suprema Lex Esto" (Let the welfare of the people be the supreme law). Are we thinking of the people when we let the heavens be blocked, emit glare into their bedroom windows causing them stress and reducing their bodies natural cancer fighting chemical production, reducing their ability to see when they drive?

A little bit of Kansas City history…

The year was 1910. In Kansas City a ten-year-old youngster took his three-year-old brother into the backyard to see Halley's Comet...The child would always long to go to the stars...By the time he was in his early teens, Robert Heinlein had read all the books in the Kansas City Public Library on the subject of astronomy... –written by Virginia Heinlein in "Requiem"

This year marks the 100^th anniversary of Robert Heinlein’s birth. Heinlein, also a Boy Scout here in Kansas City, was awarded 4 original Hugos and 3 Retro Hugos. Many remember him from his quote, “Pay it Forward.” A 1988 Citation accompanying the Distinguished Public Service Medal awarded posthumously by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to Robert Anson Heinlein reads:

"In recognition of his meritorious service to the Nation and mankind in advocating and promoting the exploration of space. Through dozens of superbly written novels and essays and his epoch-making movie Destination Moon, he helped inspire the Nation to take its first step into space and onto the Moon. Even after his death, his books live on as testimony to a man of purpose and vision, a man dedicated to encouraging others to dream, explore and achieve."

In the mid 80’s, Halley’s Comet returned. How many of our youth stood in their backyards straining to see Halley’s Comet through the light pollution? What will our sky look like in 2061 when it returns? How many potential astronauts, Mar’s explorers, Novelists, and artists are we holding back?

We can do better for youth, our residents and our businesses, we can do our best!

I would like to close by saying:

“Please, let no child be left uninspired”

Thank you for your time.