What is a Dark Sky Sanctuary?
According to the International Dark Skies Association’s website…
“An IDA Dark Sky Sanctuary is public or private land that has an exceptional or distinguished quality of starry nights and a nocturnal environment that is protected for its scientific, natural, or educational value, its cultural heritage and/or public enjoyment.
A sanctuary differs from a Dark Sky Park or Reserve in that it is typically situated in a very remote location with few (if any) nearby threats to the quality of its dark night skies and it does not otherwise meet the requirements for designation as a park or reserve. The typical geographic isolation of Dark Sky Sanctuaries significantly limits opportunities for public outreach, so a sanctuary designation is specifically designed to increase awareness of these fragile sites and promote their long-term conservation.”
Who designates a Dark Sky Sanctuary?
The International Dark Skies Association founded the International Dark Sky Places (IDSP) Program in 2001 to encourage communities, parks, and protected areas around the world to preserve and protect dark sites through responsible lighting policies and public education. There are 5 types of certifications:
- International Dark Sky Sanctuaries
Sanctuaries are the most remote (and often darkest) places in the world whose conservation state is most fragile.
- International Dark Sky Parks
Parks are publicly- or privately-owned spaces protected for natural conservation that implement good outdoor lighting and provide dark sky programs for visitors.
- International Dark Sky Reserves
Reserves consist of a dark “core” zone surrounded by a populated periphery where policy controls are enacted to protect the darkness of the core.
- Urban Night Sky Places
Urban Night Sky Places are sites near or surrounded by large urban environs whose planning and design actively promote an authentic nighttime experience in the midst of significant artificial light at night.
- International Dark Sky Communities
Communities are legally organized cities and towns that adopt quality outdoor lighting ordinances and undertake efforts to educate residents about the importance of dark skies.
Where is the Glenorchy / Tahuna Dark Skies Sanctuary in the process?
We are excited to announce that we are candidates for becoming a Dark Skies Sanctuary! Currently, we’re raising funds to support any alterations needed to our bid. We’ve already submitted our initial bid and are eagerly awaiting the results of the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) evaluation. While the IDA’s evaluation process is thorough and lengthy, we remain optimistic. If everything goes as planned, we hope to officially become a Dark Skies Sanctuary by 2025.
What does the Sanctuary mean for lighting in Glenorchy and environs?
Part of the application process involves a lighting inventory of the Sanctuary. We’ll be working with the community on education and working with QLDC to insure that we have the correct lighting to support wildlife and a dark skies environment, but still be bright enough to find your way home from the pub.
How does wildlife benefit from the Sanctuary?
Many of our local species thrive in the darkness. For over 20 years, Glenorchy has participated in the national critical long-tailed bat/pekapeka survey and we know that our population has been growing over the last few years thanks to the trapping efforts taking place. The lesser short-tailed bat has also been recorded in the Routeburn and our project creates a wonderful opportunity to help encourage them to flourish again. An aging tuna/eel population who have been trapped by the Clutha Dam also live in the waterways of the Head of the Lake. Our night moths, glow worms, and many invertebrate species also take advantage of the darkness and our improving habitat.
How is the Glenorchy / Tahuna Dark Skies Sanctuary connecting to arts and culture?
We see the Dark Skies as a source of inspiration and many of our creatives agree! We have partnered with Nature’s Symphony who hosted a first concert for the stars at Rees Valley Station featuring the beautiful work of pianist Luke Gadjus in April 2023. We hope to be a home for astrophotographers, creatives of all kinds, and in the future will host an arts competition inspired by the night sky called Nox. We look forward to seeing what emerges and welcome inquiries for partnerships.
What can I do to support the Glenorchy / Tahuna Dark Skies Sanctuary?
There are lots of ways to support the Dark Skies Sanctuary project. At the moment, we’re in need of financial support, so you can donate here: https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/glenorchy-dark-skies-sanctuary. We also encourage you to come to our annual Glenorchy Matariki midwinter dinner and events we’re scheduling throughout the year. If you have special knowledge or a desire to connect in with us, let us know as we’d love to expand everyone’s understanding of the night skies