We can’t protect our night sky without you! And we have some great simple ideas for you to involved right now.
You can help us fight light pollution and protect the night sky. Our members and supporters are on the ground making a difference every day by spreading the word about light pollution to their neighbors, communities and public officials. You can make a difference, too! Become a leader in night sky protection. Here are some ideas to get you started.
-
Inspect the lighting around your home
Poor lighting not only creates glare and light pollution but also wastes enormous amounts of energy and money. Take a few moments to inspect your property for inefficient, poorly installed and unnecessary outdoor lighting. Learn how by visiting our Residential/Business Lighting page.
-
Use dark sky friendly lighting at your home and business
Look for the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) Fixture Seal Of Approval on any outdoor lighting you purchase. IDA maintains a searchable database of lighting products certified to minimize glare, light trespass and skyglow. These products are recommended when replacing outdated or inappropriate lighting fixtures.
-
Talk to your friends, family, and neighbors
You can be a powerful dark sky advocate for your neighborhood, your city, and even your state and country. Solving the light pollution problem involves raising awareness of the issue so that people are empowered to make better decisions as consumers, voters and community members.
-
Spread the word online
Engage your online community about the issues and explain why to support IDA. Also, be sure to let them know about joining our email list to receive our monthly e-newsletter and other timely information. They – and you – can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Tumblr.
-
Heed our calls to action
If you’re not one already, become an IDA member and receive our periodic action alerts giving you the opportunity to have your voice heard on late-breaking issues. And let us know what’s happening in your area as new threats and opportunities to protect the night skies arise. You are our eyes and ears on the ground.
-
Join or start a chapter
It’s amazing what a committed group of people can get done. Our chapter volunteers work hard to get the message out, and they always need more helping hands. Find out if there’s an IDA chapter in your area. No chapter nearby? Then find some like-minded folks and start one!
-
Become a citizen scientist
Be part of a global community that is helping scientists measure and study light pollution. There are several ways to help. No experience necessary!
-
Set up a table at a local event
We have public outreach materials that you can use educate your community about light pollution and protecting the night skies including traveling pop-up displays and informational brochures.
-
Give a talk
Organizations such as service clubs, environmental groups, astronomy clubs, high schools and colleges often have periodic guest speakers on various topics. Ask around and see if any of these groups might be interested in learning about light pollution and the importance of dark skies. To help with your presentation, you can use our Light Pollution Basics PowerPoint presentation and other public outreach materials, and “Losing the Dark”, our six minute video introduction to light pollution that can either be streamed online or downloaded onto your computer.
-
Advocate for a lighting ordinance in your town
Local lighting ordinances ensure that your municipality is addressing artificial light at night. Find out if your town has a lighting ordinance. If not, try working with them to pass one. If your town does have an ordinance, make sure that it’s being enforced.
-
Visit an IDA Dark Sky Park
IDA’s Dark Sky Places program recognizes locations with exceptionally dark skies and local efforts to keep them that way. Many of these places are state or national parks. By visiting these locations your tourism dollars help sustain and protect these rare and fragile locales for the benefit of future generations. Find a Dark Sky Place.
Source: International Dark Sky Association
