Central Idaho gets 1st dark sky reserve in U.S.

The International Dark Sky Association approved the application Monday. The city of Ketchum received designation as a dark sky community in October.

The Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve is the first to be awarded in the U.S. The Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve near Carey has a designation as a dark skies park.

The dark sky reserve is one of 12 such designations in the world.

“The Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve is a milestone in the history of IDA’s International Dark Sky Places Program,” Executive Director J. Scott Feierbend said in a news release. “That such truly dark nighttime environments still exist in the United States is remarkable, but even more impressive is the effort undertaken to protect them in this case.”

The dark sky reserve recognizes the work that the cities and county have done to preserve the dark skies above. They’ve passed ordinances managing outdoor lighting for residences and businesses.

To qualify, public and private lands must have “exceptional or distinguished quality of night sky, view of the stars and nocturnal environment,” according to the news release.

The central Idaho reserve has also received “gold-tier” status from the IDA, which is granted to regions with the darkest night skies and only scant amounts of light pollution.

Dark, starlit-skies are vanishing across the U.S. as well as globally due to light pollution. That refers to artificial lights that stay on at night, obscuring the night sky above.

In central Idaho, residents and visitors can still see the Milky Way, which is obscured to one-third of the world’s population, according to the news release. The release also notes that light pollution distorts the view of the night sky for 80 percent of residents in U.S. cities.

“This is the culmination of a lot of work, important policy decisions and commitment by so many to manage our light pollution,” Ketchum Mayor Nina Jonas said. “We’re pleased with what this says about the commitment our communities have shown to protecting our environment and spectacular window to the universe.”

The nonprofit Idaho Conservation League advocated for creation of the dark sky reserve, and highlighted the harmful effects of light pollution. It causes stress to animals, birds, insects and plants, the organization stated.

“Most of us are familiar with air, water and land pollution, but as a society, we are not as familiar with light as a form of pollution,” said Betsy Mizell, community engagement associate for the ICL. “Working on this effort has opened my eyes to the importance of protecting our night sky, not just for heritage reasons but to reduce the serious environmental consequences for humans, wildlife and our climate.”

Advocates of the reserve contend it would bolster “astro-tourism” that would bring flocks of visitors to the region to view the night sky.

“The Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve was created not just for locals, but for all Idahoans and visitors from across the world who can come here and experience the primeval wonder of the starry night sky,” Stanley Mayor Steve Botti said.

Sun Valley resident Stephen Pauley helped craft the local dark skies ordinances, and said the reserve recognizes a wonderful resource in central Idaho.

“This region deserves to be designated a dark sky reserve,” Pauley said. “Citizens and city leaders, planners and business owners all had a hand in achieving this goal and preserving our quality view of the world above. We should all feel good about this and take a moment to think about the benefit this leaves for generations to follow.”