Big Cypress Recognized as International Dark Sky Place

Tent campers under a night sky filled with stars in Big Cypress National Preserve

Photo courtesy of Diana Umpierre

News Release Date: October 31, 2016 
Contact: Bob DeGross, NPS, 239-695-1107 
Contact: Dr. John Barentine, IDA, 520-293-3198 

 

The National Park Service is pleased to announce that Big Cypress National Preserve has been designated an International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) International Dark Sky Place. With the extent of urbanization in the eastern United States it is becoming nearly impossible to experience the night with little impact from artificial light pollution. Here in south Florida, away from the urban development of the east and west coasts, Big Cypress National Preserve has one of the last protected night skies where visitors can still enjoy the splendor of the Milky Way and see a night-sky strewn with thousands of stars with only the naked eye.

 

With this designation Big Cypress National Preserve now becomes the the 1st National Park Service (NPS) Unit east of Colorado to earn this designation and the 16th NPS site in the country to do so. The national preserve joins Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park in Central Florida, which was designated earlier in 2016, as the first International Dark Sky Place in Florida.

 

To qualify as an International Dark Sky Place, staff from Big Cypress National Preserve developed outdoor lighting guidelines that specify when and where outdoor lighting is necessary. The maintenance team at the preserve undertook the arduous task of assessing and retrofitting hundreds of light fixtures. Additionally, staff from the preserve, in cooperation with several local amateur astronomy groups, will conduct annual educational opportunities from December through March. A schedule for which can be found at - https://www.nps.gov/bicy/planyourvisit/astronomy-programs.htm

 

Preserve leadership believes these efforts are just the beginning in a long-term process to secure the preserve's dark skies for years to come. IDA recognition is only one step along the way to success, but an important gesture in rewarding the hard work already done. “This designation, and the hard work the preserve staff has committed to, is a testament to the responsibility the preserve has entered into to protect its pristine dark skies for this and future generations,” said Superintendent Tammy Whittington.

 

“We are thrilled to honor the excellent work that Big Cypress National Preserve has committed to, ensuring the protection of this resource in Florida,” said IDA Executive Director J. Scott Feierabend.

 

"We could not be more proud. We had been assisting the preserve with the application for this designation and waiting anxiously for over three years for the day to finally shout to the world that Big Cypress has earned it," stated Diana Umpierre, IDA Vice President and IDA Florida Chapter Chair.

 

The IDA’s International Dark Sky Places Program began in 2001 to encourage communities around the world to preserve and protect dark sites through responsible lighting policies and public education. Big Cypress National Preserve will work with local astronomical societies and nearby communities to develop outdoor lighting guidelines to further minimize light pollution across South Florida ensuring the preservation of this special resource for all to enjoy.

 

For more about the International Dark-Sky Association visit http://darksky.org/

 

More about Big Cypress National Preserve is at - www.nps.gov/bicy and join us for our annual astronomy programs that celebrate the wonder of the night sky.

 

Find more information on the National Park Service's night sky efforts at - https://www.nps.gov/subjects/nightskies/index.htm

 

Photos of the night sky in the preserve can be found at - https://www.flickr.com/photos/bigcypressnps/albums/72157635274296133