Borrego Springs: An International Dark Sky Community

Borrego Springs: An International Dark Sky Community

Dark skies are important because they provide a natural habitat for nocturnal animals, help to reduce light pollution and offer the opportunity for people to experience the beauty and wonder of the night sky. In Borrego Springs, efforts to preserve the dark sky include the use of shielded lighting and the establishment of a “dark sky park” in the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.

Borrego Springs is one of only a few International Dark Sky Communities in the world, along with other places like Flagstaff, Arizona, and the Town of Dragoon in Arizona. These communities have demonstrated a commitment to preserving the natural night sky and are recognized by the International Dark-Sky Association.

Protecting and Preserving the Natural Night Sky: The International Dark Sky Association’s International Dark Sky Places Program

The International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting and preserving the natural night sky. As part of its mission, the IDA designates and recognizes International Dark Sky Places, which are areas that have demonstrated a commitment to protecting the natural night sky.

International Dark Sky Places include International Dark Sky Parks, International Dark Sky Reserves, and International Dark Sky Communities. These places are recognized for their efforts to reduce light pollution and preserve the natural night sky, and offer visitors the opportunity to experience the beauty and wonder of the stars.

International Dark Sky Communities are towns, cities, or neighborhoods that have demonstrated a commitment to protecting the natural night sky by adopting and implementing policies that reduce light pollution. These communities are recognized by the IDA for their efforts to protect the night sky and preserve it for future generations.

To learn more about International Dark Sky Places and the work of the IDA, visit the organization’s website at https://www.darksky.org/our-work/conservation/idsp/communities/.

The International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting and preserving the natural night sky. As part of its mission, the IDA promotes responsible outdoor lighting practices that reduce light pollution and protect the night sky.

One of the programs that the IDA offers to help promote responsible outdoor lighting is the Fixture Seal of Approval (FSA) program. This program is designed to help manufacturers and buyers identify outdoor lighting fixtures that meet certain criteria for reducing light pollution.

To qualify for the FSA, an outdoor lighting fixture must meet a set of criteria that includes minimizing the amount of light that is directed upwards into the sky and ensuring that the fixture is properly shielded to minimize glare and light trespass. Fixtures that meet these criteria are eligible to receive the FSA seal, which indicates that they are designed to reduce light pollution.

The IDA maintains a list of FSA-approved products on its website, which includes a variety of outdoor lighting fixtures ranging from streetlights and floodlights to security lights and decorative lighting. By using FSA-approved products, individuals and organizations can help to protect the natural night sky and reduce light pollution in their communities.

To learn more about the FSA program and to view a list of FSA-approved products, visit the IDA’s website at https://www.darksky.org/our-work/lighting/lighting-for-industry/fsa/fsa-products/.



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