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NEWS AND ACTIVITIES ARCHIVE
This page lists past IDA activities that no longer appear on the home page. Entries are arranged in chronological order.
For additional information on IDA, please see our Press Releases page and our IDA in the News page. More information on the dark sky movement, articles on light pollution, and articles on IDA can be found on the eNews page, which backlogs a compilation of articles documenting the fight to save the night all over the globe.
National Park Service News Release - Look Up, Wonder Awaits. Every night in a national park Help translate "Losing the Dark."Crowdfunding campaign to raise awareness. Bright peaks--Alps starry skies in danger due to unprecedented light pollution Read More >> Bright Nights: Light Pollution is Bad for the Planet, and your Health Read More >> Twinkle, Twinkle Little Stars, We all Wonder where you Are Read More >> Hong Kong's light pollution problem among world's worst Read More >> Observatory inctive due to light pollution Read More >> Earth Hour 2013 Pictures: Before and After, National GeographicRead More >> South Downs National Park bids for dark sky reserve status Read More >> Scenic America recently filed a lawsuit in federal court seeking to stop digital billboard blight. Show your support by signing their petition France has taken steps to save energy and reduce light pollution.Details here >> Proceedings of the Third International Starlight Conference now available for purchase Details Here >> Losing the Dark: A Video About Light Pollution Read More >> Northumberland Park Aims for Dark Sky Reserve status Read More >> Losing the Dark PSA on YouTubeRead More >> Arificial Light at Night 2013 Conference Call for Papers Read More >> NPR: Turning it Down: Cities Combat Light Pollution By Going Dim Read More >> GLOBE at Night 2013 Third Campaign Read More >> Brecon Beacons National Park Wins Dark Sky Status Read More >> Professional Lighting Design Convention Read More >> Supreme Court Decision Major Setback for Billboard Companies.Read more >> New Earth at Night images reveal global light pollution problem. Read more >> The list of IDA's Dark Sky Ambassadors is growing. Visit ourDark Sky Ambassador page to see who they are and what they have to say about light pollution and the night sky. The outdoor Model Lighting Ordinance is now available in French. Find it on our MLO pagehere >> Support IDA by usingwww.goodsearch.com. Sign up and each search can donate a penny to IDA. Die Nacht wird immer heller(German) and The night is getting brighter (English translation). Also,audio interview in German with IDA Executive Director Bob Parks New Partners for Smart Growth Conference, 7-9 February 2013 in Kansas City, MO. The International Dark-Sky Association is proud to support theProfessional Lighting Design Convention 30 October - 2 November, 2013 in Copenhagen Noche Zero light pollution conference on Chilean TV. Click here to watch >> "Light Pollution Theory, Modelling and Measurements" will take place at Smolenice, Slovak Republic 15-18 April 2013. Visit the website >> The American Medical Association adopted a report on light pollution written by their Council for Science and Public Health. Read the executive summary and the full report here. >> 12th European Symposium for the Protection of the Night Sky 13-15 September 2012. Visit the website >> New Zealand’s Aoraki Mackenzie Named World’s Largest International Dark Sky Reserve.Read the IDA Press Release >> NamibRand Nature Reserve named as Africa's first International Dark Sky Reserve.Read IDA Press Release >> The City Dark, the award-winning documentary on light pollution, had its television broadcast premiere on PBS Thursday July 5th. Third International Starlight Conference was 11-13 June, 2012.Details here >> Find screenings of The City Dark. Details here >> Big Bend National Park named as International Dark Sky Park. Read IDA Press Release. This E-petition in support of dark skies in the U.K. could use your support. Read and sign here >> Homer Glen, Illinois Becomes World's Fourth International Dark Sky Community Read IDA Press Release >> Bird-Friendly Development Handbook The American Bird Conservancy announces the release of Bird-friendly Building Design, a comprehensive guide to bird-safe construction for individuals, architects and contractors. Download Bird-Friendly Building Design >> City Lights and Urban Air Read more from Nature Geoscience Celestial Compass Obscured by Urban Light Pollution for Some Nocturnal Animals Read more from Science Daily BioBlitz starcount in National Geographic Newswatch The GLOBE at Night program coordinated a Tucson-wide night sky inventory during the 2011 National Geographic BioBlitz in Saguaro National Park. Read more >> Dimming the lights IDA "led the effort to measure the impact of light on the park units" with NOAO and the NPS Night Sky Team About 70 volunteers carried Sky Quality Meters and took repeated measurements at regular intervals to measure the impact of light pollution during the first night of the National Geographic-sponsored BioBlitz on 21-22 October. Read "How Dark is Dark?" Exmoor National Park becomes Europe's first (world's second) International Dark Sky Reserve Read more from BBC News >> Looking to the stars: Remembering IDA Board member Christopher W. Walker Read more>> Two local Grade 9 students win international poster competition Read More>> Light Pollution & Night Sky Friendly Alternatives Read article>> Borrego leads dark-sky movement Read article >> Texas legislators pass HB2857 to protect skies surrounding McDonald ObservatoryRead more >> Galloway Dark Sky Park 'helps insects' Buglife reports The UK's first Dark Sky Park an example of how invertebrates could be protected from harm caused by artificial light. Read more >>
2009
IDA to Host Booth at GreenBuild Expo (10-13 November) The International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) will answer questions on light pollution at booth T-1 at GreenBuild Expo in Phoenix, AZ. Read more >>
IDA Congressional Briefings Illuminate Outdoor Lighting Choices (13-14 July) The International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) conducted informational briefings for the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate, respectively. This year, topics included the possible impacts of current legislation. Both briefings were well attended by legislators and Congressional aides. Read more >>
Celebrate Galilean Nights: 22-24 October Spread over three nights, astronomers will share their knowledge and enthusiasm for space by encouraging as many people as possible to look through a telescope at our planetary neighbors.
EnergyStar to Adopt Full Shielding Criteria for Outdoor LED Products (08 October, 2009) A report released by the U.S. Department of Energy specified that LED exterior lighting fixtures must emit no light above 90 degrees to receive EnergyStar certification. Adoption of criteria that limits uplight for the growing field of LED fixtures will significantly reduce sky glow and curtail energy waste.
All wall mount, pole top and pole mounted outdoor LED fixtures wishing to earn an EnergyStar designation must adhere to this criteria. When asked specifically about nostalgia and antique luminaires, Jason Tuenge of the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory affirmed that the fully shielded design applies to them as well, and that “acorn” type products could not be certified if any light were emitted above 90 degrees.
This proposal will go under final review, receiving official declaration in 4 to 6 weeks, according to Richard Karney, director of the program for the DOE. If the proposal becomes law, this timely action on LED design is a powerful victory for dark sky preservation and restoration. See Department of Energy presentation >>
White House Will Host Star Party on 07 October (07 October)
IDA Press Release: Blue Light Threatens Animals and People (08 October) The rapidly expanding use of bluish-white outdoor lighting threatens visibility at night and jeopardizes the nocturnal environment worldwide. Read more >>
Read article by Brian Owen in LEDs Magazine >>
Germany Sweeps the IDA Europe Awards Dr. Andreas Hanel wins the prestigious Galileo Award and dial4light wins the Outdoor Lighting Award at the 9th European Symposium for the Protection of the Night Sky in Armagh, Ireland. Read more>>
IAU Resolution In Defense of the Night Sky (13 August) The members of the International Astronomical Union (IAU) voted unanimously to approve a resolution in defense of the night sky and the right to starlight. The initiators of the resolution were the IAU Executive Working Group, the International Year of Astronomy 2009 Cornerstone Project Dark Skies Awareness Working Group, the members of the Starlight Declaration, and the IAU Division XII/Commission 50 Working Group on Controlling Light Pollution.Read the Resolution >>
Regione Veneto in Italy approves a law promoting no upward-directed light! (17 August) The introduction of this new law in a region where there was already a less effective law is of paramount importance, because politicians understood that the way to prevent light pollution evolved in the years since the old law’s approval. What seemed a small upward light percentage (3%) then, is now clear that it produces far more pollution than strictly necessary. Read more >>
Borrego Springs, California, USA Declared Second International Dark Sky Community (31 July) IDSC certification recognizes Borrego Springs’ exceptional commitment to dark sky protection and restoration throughout the community. Borrego Springs has long been a haven for star gazers, both professional and amateur. Rated by USA Today as one of the top ten stargazing locations in the nation, the community prides itself on its dedication to the whole desert experience.Read press release >> Sierra La Rana, Texas, USA is Designated a Dark Sky Development of Distinction (20 July) The Dark Sky Development of Distinction Award is a new award designated by IDA to promote subdivisions, master planned communities, and unincorporated townships whose planning actively promotes a more natural night sky but does not qualify for the International Dark Sky Community (IDSCommunity) award. Located in the Big Bend Region of Texas, Sierra La Rana has used the region's naturally clear skies as a focal point for tourist activities and the creation of a strong lighting policy. Read more >
Welsh Assembly Supports Dark Skies (17 July) Wales, UK released an official statement acknowledging light pollution as affecting quality of life. Read the whole statement >>
New Hampshire Dark Skies Legislation Signed into Law (15 July) NH Governor John Lynch signed HB-585 into law. According to the AP article, "The policy encourages municipalities to enact local ordinances and regulations to conserve energy from outdoor lighting, to minimize light pollution and glare, and to preserve dark skies as a rural feature." Read more >>
IDA Holds Second Round of Congressional Briefings (13 & 14 July) IDA held its second series of Congressional briefings in July 2009.
Annual Business Meeting Held at IDA Headquarters (30 June) For the first time in our history, IDA hosted the meeting as a Webinar. Topics addressed at the meeting included: budget FY 2008, IDA activities, accomplishments, and goals FY 2008, Treasurer's Report 2008 and addressed questions submitted via email. Meeting proceedings were recorded, and are available as separate sheets here >>
New Lighting Standards Proposed (29 June) The White House announces new standards for residential and commercial lighting. Read more >>
Book Release: L'Inquinamento Luminoso (Light Pollution) by Mario DiSora
International Dark-Sky Association Launches Project to Monitor Night Skies (17 June) IDA, with help from a grant from the National Science Foundation, is conducting the world’s first systematic effort to measure light pollution. The project, “SKYMONITOR: A Network to Monitor the State of the Night Sky at Dark Sky Sites,” will construct approximately 25 durable, automated Night Sky Brightness Monitors (NSBM). These autonomous, solar-powered devices automatically record sky glow levels at regular intervals throughout the night. Read press release >>
American Medical Association Officially Supports Reduction of Light Pollution (16 June) The American Medical Association officially supports of energy efficient outdoor lighting technology into official AMA policy by unanimously adopting the following resolutions:
RESOLVED That our AMA advocate that all future outdoor lighting be of energy efficient designs to reduce waste of energy and production of greenhouse gasses that result from this wasted energy use, and be it further This resolution is a monumental step toward IDA's goals of a natural sky.
Dr. Mario Motta, Massachusetts Medical Society President and member of the AMA Council of Science and Public Health, explains some reasons behind this resolution and its implications in an article for Sky and Telescope. Read "U.S. Physicians Join Light Pollution Fight" >>
J. Kelly Beatty, IDA Board Member and Sky and Telescope editor is honored with the 2009 Jonathan Eberhard Planetary Sciences Journalism Award! (26 May) Given by the Division of Planetary Sciences of the American Astronomical Society, this award recognizes and stimulates distinguished popular writing on planetary sciences. Read his latest story from Sky and Telescope, "Dark Skies 15,300, Light Pollution 0" >> IDA Cultivation Event in Los Altos Hills, California (21 May) A Starlight Affair: IDA hosted a cosmic discussion of light pollution, its implications, and its solutions.
IDA Releases New Logo Design (18 March) IDA is proud to announce the adoption of a compelling new look. More about the design >>
Office Open in Washington, DC, USA (02 March) On 2 March, IDA established an official presence in Washington, DC. Read about this exciting new development in the Satellite Offices tab under the About IDA header >>
IDA Releases Draft Version of Model Lighting Ordinance with the Illuminating Engineering Society (09 February) The breakthroughs of the MLO include:
The MLO was open to review and public comment through 20 April, 2009. Comments have been collected and the MLO draft is under revision. Details available as they occur. Learn more >>
IYA Podcast by IDA for 365 Days of Astronomy (02 February) Listen to the IDA Podcast on "Educational Outreach Activities and Materials for Dark Skies Awareness"
2008
Bipartisan Letter from the U.S. House of Representatives Supports Dark Skies August 4, 2008: Eleven members of the U.S. House of Representatives request action on light pollution from the EPA. Read the press release here >> Read the letter here >>
CPTED Liaison: (11-13 June, 2008) IDA hosts National Institute of Crime Prevention's Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) Basic Training.
IDA Outreach by Technical Advisor Pete Strasser: (April, 2008) Tens of thousands reached by contribution of featured article, "Dark Sky Lighting: Simple but Effective," published in the April 2008 issue of Landscape Architect and Specifier News.
IDA Wins SASIE Award as Inspiring Enterprise in Use of Technology: (07 March, 2008) IDA tapped for Best Use of Technology at 2008 SASIE Award presentation. Read press release >>
IDA Endorses Greenbuild: (January, 2008) IDA invites USGBC GreenBuild attendees to take part in the protection of the nightscape. Read the e-mail >>
United Kingdom IDA Members Respond to the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution: (January 2008) Martin Morgan-Taylor and Bob Mizon, both of the Campaign for Dark Skies and IDA, reply to the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution's invitation to submit information for its next short study, Artificial Light in the Environment. View submitted material >>
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