Keep the Night Sky Dark
Photographing a Dark Sky - The Milky Way - Stan Bravenec - Naturescapes Photography Contest 2016
Many Hays County residents are fortunate enough to have the Milky Way visible from their homes. However, some residents of the county find that it is quickly disappearing from view due to ongoing development and ineffective outdoor lighting. Fortunately, light pollution can be fixed with the flip of a switch or by following the solutions shared below for necessary lighting. Remember dark skies do not equal dark ground.
The natural night sky is part of our heritage and our connection to the universe. Almost every living thing on earth uses the cycle of dark and light to trigger life processes. Unfortunately, poorly thought-out lighting can take away our dark skies and interfere with natural life cycles.
When it comes to the night sky, the local go-to resource is the Hays County Friends of the Night Sky, which is supported by a Hays County Master Naturalist project. It’s a county wide educational group comprised of volunteers who work with individuals, businesses, communities, and municipalities to make life better without light pollution. They help us understand that effective outdoor lighting has many benefits. However, the way that many outdoor lights are designed and installed, the amount of light chosen, and the light’s color sometime fail to take into account the needs of other life on this planet, the nature of the human eye, and current scientific knowledge. Poor outdoor lighting can:
Waste billions of dollars each year in energy costs.
Produce glare, which reduces safety, decreases our ability to see, and jeopardizes security.
Create light clutter that diminishes property values and is unattractive.
Generate light trespass that irritates neighbors.
Even a small amount of artificial light can damage our immune system and interfere with plants and wildlife.
Hays County Friends of the Night Sky, shares with us the straightforward solutions to light pollution established jointly by the International Dark-Sky Association and the Illuminating Engineering Society:
Install lighting only when, where and at the level of light needed to do the job.
Select warm colored lights, and use shielding and careful downward aiming to direct your lights only onto your property.
Use energy saving controls on outdoor lights, timers, dimmers and motion sensors.
Turn off the light when no one is there to use it. Criminals need lights to see, too.
More communities are recognizing the need to make a difference with better lighting. In Hays County, we are proud that the City of Dripping Springs was the first in Texas and sixth in the world to be designated an International Dark Sky Community in 2014. The Wimberley Valley, consisting of the cities of Wimberley and Woodcreek, achieved the designation in 2018. Inspired by these cities, other cities in Hays County are pursuing dark sky credentials.
Light pollution impacts everyone. Utilize the resources below and connect with our Hays County Friends of the Night Sky to educate your family, friends and neighbors about the importance of good lighting
Links & Resources
Hays County Friends of the Night Sky
