 Photograph © Phil Hart (terms of use) |
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Changes on the Horizon
As IDA reaches its landmark 20th anniversary we will look back to see the progress and changes that our work has brought to the world. IDA continues to grow ever more prominent in the world of light pollution prevention. We have many people to thank for much of this success. However, after a great deal of thought and planning, a couple of key supporters have decided that the 20th Anniversary is an excellent moment to pass the torch on to the next generation. Dr. David L. Crawford, co-founder and Executive Director of IDA for the past twenty years, will begin his retirement in June of 2008. There are not enough words to capture the magnitude of his contribution to IDA and the issues of light pollution. His legacy will continue for many more years than his tenure. Additionally, Robert [Bob] Gent, the President of the Board of Directors, has selflessly worked for the past twelve years at IDA as a full-time volunteer and Board member. Bob gave freely of his time and talent and will be greatly missed for his knowledge, dedication, and willingness to help in any way. He has now decided to pursue his passion for astronomy and travel with his wife, Terrie. The transition to new leadership was planned and is already under way and Board and staff are very excited about the future! Chris Monrad, IDA’s Vice-President, has stepped up to become President of the Board of Directors. Chris has been on the IDA Board for twelve years and served as the President in the past. He knows IDA’s organizational history and has the skills to continue to fulfill IDA’s mission. Elizabeth Hospodarsky is serving as Interim Executive Director and helping with this transitional period. Dr. Crawford and Bob Gent personally brought Elizabeth into IDA and she has the full support and confidence of both the board and staff to move the organization forward. Elizabeth is very talented at organizational development having twelve years of executive experience in the environmental non-profit sector. Through this transition, IDA continues to maintain a highly talented and enthusiastic Board of Directors and staff. We are constantly working to educate people about the adverse effects of light pollution and the steps we can all take to prevent them. We’d like to thank Dave Crawford and Bob Gent for tirelessly advocating IDA’s message to the world—our night skies are invaluable and we must work to protect them. We know that you will never stop reaching for the stars.
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Dark Sky Updates ...
IDA Mourns the Passing of Dr. Werner Adrian, a highly respected member of the lighting community, who passed away on Saturday, May 10, 2008. He had six patents to his name in diverse areas such as infrared photometry, adaptation dependent traffic control devices, and anti-glare spectacles for nighttime traffic. He was interested in making the roads safer and his research led to recommendations for STV (Small Target Visibility) in roadway lighting. He co-developed the first computer program to calculate roadway luminance which is the design metric used today for roadway lighting design. Roadway tunnel safety was particularly important to him as he felt they were generally incorrectly lit, forcing a driver to enter an apparent black hole, causing unnecessary accidents. To counter this problem, he developed a description of the state of adaptation of observers approaching a tunnel in daytime. His innovation serves as the basis for guidelines for tunnel lighting around the world today. Werner was active in the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IES) for over 25 years and the Commission Internationale de l'Éclairage (CIE) for over 40 years having received the CIE certificate in 2007 and the IES Medal Award (the IES's highest recognition for technical achievement) in 2005.
IDA will host National Institute of Crime Prevention's Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) Basic Training June 11-13, 2008. For registration and training information, click Read more >> IDA in the News ...
Tripping the Light Fantastic in D.C. Neighborhoods, by Milton J. Roney, Washington, D.C. Liaison for the International Dark-Sky Association, Washington Post, May 5, 2008 … There are more aspects to light pollution than those summarized in your excellent May 1 Metro article "Brightness Outside, Darkened Moods Inside; As Streetlights Flood Homes, Some in D.C. Will Do Anything to Take Back the Night."
The Post reported a connection between light pollution and breast cancer in the Feb. 20 news story "Lights at Night Are Linked to Breast Cancer; Study Bolsters Theory About Interference With Production of Key Hormone," for example.
Dupont Circle denizens probably aren't thinking about this, but light pollution travels 200 miles and affects birds, bats and other animals. If it costs $25,000 to put in a light, why not install fixtures that reduce glare, provide better visibility, save energy and don't trample on the environment?
Fighting to Keep George Observatory in the Dark, by Richard Stewart, Houston Chronicle, May 3, 2008 ... Efforts are under way to limit the city's glare seen from Brazos Bend State Park. Read more > >
Pete Strasser, IDA Technical Advisor reaches tens of thousands by contributing featured article "Dark Sky Lighting: Simple but Effective," published in the April 2008 issue of Landscape Architect and Specifier News. Read more > >
U.S. News & World Report Feature: IDA and dark skies are topics of the U.S. News & World Report, "Turning Out the Lights," by Ben Harder, March 14, 2008.
Click here for the U.S. News & World Report's homepage on light pollution and its effects.
New Yorker Feature: IDA and dark skies were topics of The New Yorker magazine's “The Dark Side: Making War on Light Pollution,” by David Owen.
Find Press Releases, Articles, Multimedia and More News >> |
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Fixture Seal of Approval The FSA provides objective, third-party certification for luminaires that minimize glare, reduce light trespass, and don't pollute the night sky. |
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Best Choice Lighting Let us help you choose dark sky friendly fixtures certified by the IDA Fixture Seal of Approval. |
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Education IDA is pleased to assist educators in inspiring student awareness of environmental issues that will impact their future.
NEW IDA Report Top 5 US State Departments of Transportation Read more>>
NEW Report An Assessment of the Impact of Growth on the Dark Skies of Pima County Read more>>
NEW IDA Report on Glare Preliminary Report: Using a Digital Camera to Measure Commercial Light Sources Read more>> |
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