ANNUAL AWARDS
Every year many volunteers from all over the world show remarkable dedication and initiative to the IDA mission. IDA annual awards recognize a number of these individuals who have greatly impacted our nightscape. Information on the individual awards is presented below.
Call for Nominations
Examine the list below to nominate a student, advocate, or building/complex for an IDA annual award. Nominations for the 2013 awards close on 31 August 2013 for the North American/International Awards and will be presented at the 2013 Annual Meeting (location TBD). Nominations for the 2013 awards for the Galileo Award and European Lighting Design Award close 1 August 2013 and will be presented at a conference TBD.
Past Award Winners
2011 • 2010 • 2009 • 2008 • 2007 • 2006 • 2005 • 2004 • 2003 • 2002 • 2001 • 2000
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Dark Sky Defender Science & Research
2012 Lighting Design Award
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Dr. David L. Crawford Lifetime Achievement Award 2012
Dr. Malcolm Smith
As part of the meeting of the International Astronomical Union (IAU), Dr. Malcolm Smith, National Optical Astronomy Observatory (NOAO) was honored for his long and substantial contributions to light pollution abatement on behalf of astronomical observatories and the community at large. Dr. David Silva (NOAO Director) and Bob Parks (International Dark-Sky Association Executive Director) presented Dr. Smith with the IDA David Crawford Lifetime Achievement Award. This award, in honor of the International Dark-Sky Association’s (IDA) co-founder and first executive director, recognizes those who have made substantial effort and change in light pollution abatement education.
Dr. Smith, who served as Director of Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory (a Division of NOAO) from 1993 to 2003, has been greatly involved in the world-wide effort to control light pollution as an environmental and astronomical imperative, along with the associated public affairs, outreach and education efforts. For 9 years he was on the Board of Directors of the IDA, the leading international body supporting the control of light pollution. He served a three-year term as President of IAU commission 50, which is in charge of the protection of existing and potential astronomical observatory sites, world wide. He was the first chairman of the IAU Commission 50 Working Group, which is charged with controlling light pollution around existing and potential observatory sites.
To read the full article visit NOAO's website for the press release.
Dr. Malcolm Smith (center) poses at the Beijing Planetarium with his award, presented to him by NOAO Director Dr. David Silva (left) and International Dark-Sky Association Executive Director Bob Parks (right). Image Credit: Sze-leung Cheung (Hong Kong University)
Hoag-Robinson Award 2012
Dr. Mario Motta
A cardiologist and amateur astronomer, Dr. Motta studied the effects of glare to better understand the impact of light pollution on vision. A member of the Massachusetts Medical Society and elected member of the American Medical Association's (AMA) Council on Science and Public Health, Dr. Motta spent years encouraging members of the medical community to recognize the negative effects of glare. In 2009, his campaign bore fruit with the unanimous passage of AMA Resolution 516 officially supporting light pollution efforts and glare reduction efforts. IDA is honored to admit this longtime ally and medical expert to the Board of Directors. His presentation at the 2009 Annual General Meeting, "The AMA Recognizes Light Pollution," is available on the Annual Conference page.
Galileo Award 2012
Friedel Pas
Friedel Pas receives the Galileo Award from Bob Parks, IDA Executive Director at the 12th Annual European Symposium in Poland.
Friedel Pas has been fighting light pollution since 1990. In 1993, he joined the workgroup Werkgroep Lichthinder, which founded and still runs the pioneering lights out event, the Belgian Night of Darkness, which enjoys over 62 percent participation from Belgian municipalities. In 2004, Friedel became president of Preventie Lichthinder, which facilitated collaborations with the Belgian government and currently runs the Belgian Night of Darkness. As European Liaison to IDA, Friedel has organized and promoted IDA programs throughout Europe, including the annual European Symposium. Friedel received the 2008 IDA Hoag-Robinson Award and the 2012 IDA Galileo Award.
2012 Lighting Design Awards
Speirs and Major
For lighting design at Olympic Park in London.
Jim Benya & Chris Monrad
Exterior lighting design of Colonel Smith Middle School
Kirt Rusenko
For lighting design at Boca Raton Yacht/Racquet Club
Dark Sky Defender 2012 Awards
Science & Research
Christopher Kyba
Christopher Kyba is a light pollution researcher working in Berlin, Germany, and currently the chair of IDA’s Night Sky Brightness Monitoring Committee. Mr. Kyba has published numerous light pollution related research on the ecological impact of artificial light, skyglow and night sky brightness monitoring. A newly elected director on the board, he aims to further extend IDA’s commitment to monitoring skyglow, particularly through increased engagement of citizen scientists and backyard astronomers. Christopher will provide the board with expert opinions regarding questions of skyglow quantification, as well as updates on the most current research. Christopher has been recently featured in IDA's Nightscape magazine with his article "Observing Light Pollution from Air & Space" based on his published research on the topic.
Outreach & Education
Mary Stewart Adams
Mary Stewart Adams is Program Director for Emet County's Dark Sky Park Program at the Headlands International Dark Sky Park. In May 2011 she was honored by the Northern Michigan Environmental Action Council as an "Environmentalist of the Year." Mary continues to keep up interactive educational dark sky programming at Headlands while also creating new programs regularly. Recently, Mary oversaw the opening of the Dark Sky Discovery Trail. This is a 1-mile long paved trail from the entrance of the Headlands to the designated Dark Sky Viewing Area. Along the way, walkers will find cultural docents, indigenous artwork, and regional photography that interpret humanity's relationship to the night sky. Learn more about Mary's work on Headlands IDSP website.
James Fisher
James Fisher is chapter leader of the IDA Arkansas Chapter where he actively pursues dark sky legislation and events. James Fisher works with Arkansas Representative Stephen Meeks to adovate state-wide light pollution protection of Arkansas through the bill titled, "Arkansas Nighttime Environment Protection Act." Jim has taken his presentation "Protecting the Night Environment" on the road to present to the Memphis Astronomical Society. He is also a previous president for the Central Arkansas Astronomical Society and continues to remain active.
William Wren
William Wren is a retired public affairs employee and astronomer of McDonald Observator. He reamins active in preservation of the area's dark skies. This has taken shape in the naming of Big Bend National Park as an International Dark Sky Park as well as strong lighting guidelines in and around the area protecting not only the cities but the dark skies over McDonald Observatory.
Photographic Outreach
Jim Richardson
Jim Richardson helped bring about and took many of the photos for the feature article in the National Geographic article "Our Vanishing Night." This article was one that brought light pollution to the world's attention. Richardson continues to participate in dark skies awarness by recently participating in the Noche Zero event to speak about his photoraphy.
Preserving the Night
Xiaohua Wang
Xiaohua Wang is working towards darker skies in China by pursuing the creation of International Dark-Sky Association Approved Starry Parks and Reserves.
Stan Stubbe
Stan Stubbe is chapter leader for the Pennsylvania Outdoor Lighting council (POLC) IDA Chapter. Through this chapter he actively pursues darker skies in Pennsylvania and increased lighting regulation.
Kevin Poe
Kevin Poe is the Head Dark Ranger (a park ranger, but for dark skies!) at Bryce Canyon. He is to thank for many dark sky awareness presentations and programs. Currently, Bryce Canyon is planning an application to be named an International Dark Sky Park. Watch this video for a glimpse into Kevin Poe's adventures after the Arizona Science and Astronomy Expo where he received his award.
Losing the Dark
Carolyn Petersen
Carolyn Peterson is an award-winning science writer and CEO of Loch Ness Productions. Lately, Carolyn has been working closely with IDA to create "Losing the Dark" a planetarium show publich service annoucement. This short, 5 to 7-minute show will be offered free to planetariums around the world in a variety of languages and will provide light pollution education globally. Carolyn's roll in this shows creation has been essential and will result in the effective introduction of millions to the topic of light pollution.
Noche Zero
Paulina Villalobos
Paulina Villalobos oversaw the Noche Zero conference that recently took place in San Pedro de Atacama, Chile. This event brought together a variety of topics relating to dark skies and their importance for astronomy, ecology, medical concerns, culture & heritage, and the right to nature.
RASC/IDA DSP GOL
Robert Dick
As a member of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada Robert Dick developed Guidelines for Outdoor Lighting. Recently, Robert began working with IDA to synchronize these guidelines with the goals of IDA as well. Now, the guidelines will be the basis for both RASC and IDA because of his contribution.
Rising Star 2012 Awards
The Rising Star Awards are given to students achieving exceptional standards in raising dark skies awareness and facing the problem of light pollution head on. These students make a difference in their schools and communities. IDA applauds their efforts and impacts and anticipates the contributions they will make in the future.
Erin Rush
Erin Rush is a 14-year-old 8th grader in Ojai, CA. She brought about a showing of the City Dark followed by a star party with the Santa Barbara Astronomical Unit's amateur astronomers. Approximately 100 people attend the event. After moving from Park City, UT to Ojai Erin was so impressed with the night sky that she wanted to celebrate them to encourage more people to control their lighting. Through Erin's iniative she has already brought about change in her school and community.
Linsey Jensen
Linsey Jensen (a physics senior at Utah State University) was an NSF Research Experience for Undergraduates student over the summer of 2012. Linsey worked with Dr. Connie Walker at the National Optical Astronomy Observatory to characterize the sky brightness changes throughout the night in and around Tucson, Arizona. Five data-logging Sky Quality Meters were situated in and around Tucson, Arizona while another three meters were placed on nearby observatory mountaintops. Specifically she compared the night sky brightness trends on the nearby mountaintops with the trends in the city center and around the outskirts of the city (8 miles N,E,S,W). As expected, the sky brightness of the mountains was dominated by natural light while the sky brightness of the city was dominated by artificial light, but she also found some unexpected results. She will present her results at the AAS meeting in Long Beach in January 2013.
Britny Delp
Britny Delp is a senior in the Physics Science Education Program at The University of Arizona. She worked with Steve Pompea through the STAR Teacher and Researcher Program at CalPoly to characterize the spectra of 35 different lights, focusing on LEDs and how their blue light emissions would influence night sky brightness. She is currently student-teaching in the Phoenix Union High School District and will begin a full-time position there in January, where she will continue to be active in citizen science programs.
Awards Presented
- Dr. David L. Crawford Lifetime Achievement Award
- Initiated in 2008, the Dr. David L. Crawford Lifetime Achievement Award commemorates IDA co-founder and former Executive Director Dave Crawford's indelible mark on the preservation of the nighttime sky. It is presented to individuals such as Dr. Crawford, who in their lifetime have contributed an extraordinary effort to light pollution abatement.
- Galileo Award
- Given once per year by the European region of the IDA for outstanding achievements in combating light pollution in Europe. Nominees are selected by the European community through an annual poll and is presented at the annual European Symposium for the Protection of the Night Sky.
- Hoag/Robinson Award
- Awarded on the recommendation of the IDA Board of Directors to an individual who has been outstanding in educating governmental organizations, business, and the public about the merits of outdoor lighting control ordinances. Named in honor of two pioneers in outdoor lighting reform, Dr. Arthur Hoag and Mr. William Robinson.
- George & Edythe Taylor Student Award
- In honor of George and Edyth Taylor; Mr. Taylor a lighting engineer recognized by the Illuminating Engineering Socity of North America (IESNA) for his contributions to the field and IESNA's 54th President (1958-1959). Honoring the Taylor's commitment to public education by encouraging students to explore the worldwide problem of light pollution through science, technology, society, and the environment.
- Dark Sky Defender (Formerly Executive Director Special Award)
- Given to individuals and organizations in appreciation for their efforts for the IDA and its mission of preserving our night skies by promoting quality outdoor nightime lighting. Many past awardees have led strong campaigns for public awarness and outdoor lighting laws. Awardees are selected by the board and managing directors; however, nominations and suggestions are accepted.
- Lighting Design Award
- Presented to designers and owners and/or managers of facilities in recognition of quality lighting. Each award includes a plaque for the designer and the owner/manager of the facility. In determining award winners, IDA considers the following criteria for quality lighting: freedom from glare, rational lighting levels, energy efficiency, good nighttime ambience, minimal obtrusive light, and minimal contribution to sky glow. Winning lighting designers and installations are environmentally friendly and economically sensible.
- Rising Star Award
- The Rising Star Awards are given to students achieving exceptional standards in raising dark skies awareness and facing the problem of light pollution head on. These students make a difference in their schools and communities. IDA applauds their efforts and impacts and anticipates the contributions they will make in the future.
Awards Description & Nomination Information
Dr. David L. Crawford Lifetime Achievement Award
Description: The lifetime achievement award in honor of IDA's first executive director is an honor bestowed upon those who have made substantial effort and change in light pollution abatement education. The award is designed for presentation on an annual basis.
Nomination: Nomination is through the IDA Board of Directors. Nominations should be received by email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and should include the individuals name, years active in light pollution abatement education, and rationale for the lifetime achievement award (i.e. significant achievements within recent years).
Deadline: Deadline for submissions is August 31, 2012.
Description: The Galileo Award is the European Award for outstanding achievements in combating light pollution issues on the European continent. The award is presented on an annual basis at the European Symposium for the Protection of the Night Sky.
Nomination: Nomination is through the Executive Committee of the European IDA. Nominees must be members of the European IDA Community. Nominations should be recieved by email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and should include the individuals name, years active in light pollution, and rationale for the annual award (i.e. significant achievements within the last year).
Deadline: Deadline for submissions is August 1, 2012.
Past recipients include:
- Friedel Pas, (2012)
- Martin Morgan-Taylor, United Kingdom (2011)
- Wim Schmidt, Platform Lichthinder, The Netherlands (2010)
- Dr. Andreas Haenel, Dark Skies Germany, Germany (2009)
- Dr. Christopher Baddiley, United Kingdom (2008)
- Dr. Pierantonio Cinzano, Italy (2007)
- Bob Mizon, UK Campaign for Dark Skies, UK (2006)
- Rene Kobler, Switzerland (2005)
- Fabio Falchi, Italy (2004)
- Diego Bonata, Italy (2003)
Description: This award is given at the recommendation of the IDA board of directors to an individual who has been outstanding in educating governmental organizations, businesses, and the public about the merits of outdoor lighting control ordinances. The award is named in honor of two pioneers in outdoor lighting reform, Dr. Arthur Hoag and Mr. William Robinson.
Dr. Arthur Hoag, who received his Ph.D. in Astronomy from Harvard University in 1952, was one of the founders of the dark sky movement. Dr. Hoag led the cause against light pollution at Kitt Peak in the 1960s and early 1970s. His efforts, together with those of the astronomers he led, resulted in the adoption of an outdoor lighting ordinance in Tucson and Pima county in 1972.
Mr. William T. Robinson was a retired petroleum engineer experienced in technology and negotiation when he met Dave Crawford at Kitt Peak National Observatory. Shortly thereafter he came out of retirement to become a volunteer for dark sky preservation in southern Arizona. Passionate and tireless, Mr. Robinson was instrumental in the adoption of no less than 50 outdoor lighting control ordinances throughout Arizona, including for most incorporated communities, for all state counties, and for the state itself.
This award honors Dr. Hoag and Mr. Robinson for their work as dark sky pioneers. Their widows, Marge Hoag and Mary Robinson, have agreed to the use of their names for this award.
Nominations: IDA welcomes nominations for the Hoag/Robinson Award. Please send your nomination to IDA by August 31, 2012.
Nominate an outstanding individual for the Hoag/Robinson Award by clicking here. (PDF)
Description: The International Dark-Sky Association Lighting Design Award is given to designers and owners and/or managers of facilities in recognition of quality lighting. Each award includes a plaque for the designer and a certificate for the owner and/or manager of the facility. In determining award winners, IDA considers the following criteria for quality lighting: freedom from glare, rational lighting levels, energy efficiency, good nighttime ambience, minimal obtrusive light, and minimal contribution to sky glow. Winning lighting designs and installations are environmentally friendly and economically sensible.
Nominations: IDA respectfully requests nominations for the Lighting Design Award. IDA considers nominations both for international and for regional or local quality lighting designs and installations. To nominate a facility designer and a facility owner/manager for an award, please complete our official nomination form.
Rules: Awards shall be for quality outdoor lighting of any kind and for any application. Any number of submissions may be made using the official nomination form. While anyone may submit a lighting design and installation for consideration, the designer of the lighting system and the owner/manager of the facility in which the lighting system is installed must sign the official nomination form to indicate their agreement with the submission. Each submission must include a statement explaining the reason for the submission. Sufficient information and details must be included about the lighting design and installation to allow judges to assess the submission relative to IDA’s quality lighting precepts:
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Rational lighting levels
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Energy efficiency
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Minimal obtrusive light
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Good nighttime ambience
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Minimal impact on artificial sky glow
Entries without sufficient information and details to allow judges to assess the lighting design and installation will be rejected.
Each submission must include high resolution color digital images—taken both at night and during the day—of the lighting design and installation. These must include both general views (to assess the overall design) and detailed views of features of the lighting system. Photographs will not be returned. Nomination submission constitutes permission of submitting parties for IDA to use submitted images in order to publicize the awards and to promote quality outdoor lighting.
Judges shall be an independent panel (not to include IDA staff or IDA board members) which shall assess each entry relative to IDA’s quality lighting precepts. Judges’ decisions will be final and no correspondence on the judging will be entertained.
IDA will arrange publicity about the awards and will work with nominators and nominees to publicize their nominations in their localities. Additional material or photographs may be requested after the awards are made to help with such publicity.
Awards: Awards will be announced and presented at the IDA Annual General Meeting or at the European Symposium, depending on the award winner. A certificate will be presented to each award winning owner/manager and designer.
Deadline: August 31, 2012
Nomination: Please use the official nomination form and email the form to
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
or fax to +1 520 293 3192.
George & Edythe Taylor Student Award
Description: This award is given in honor of George and Edythe Taylor. Mr. Taylor was a lighting engineer recognized by the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA) for his contributions to the field; he was also IESNA’s 54th President (1958–59). The award honors Mr. and Mrs. Taylor for their commitment to public education by encouraging students to explore the worldwide problem of light pollution through science, technology, society, and the environment.
Donations: IDA requests your donations in honor of George and Edythe Taylor for this award. Your donation is needed to continue and expand the program for students in the future. Donations are accepted year-round; please mark your donation as being “for the George and Edythe Taylor Student Award.” Your donation to IDA, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, is tax deductible under U.S. law.
Rules: Awards shall be given to students in kindergarten through 12th grade for completion of projects related to light pollution. Submissions may be made using the official nomination form. Only teachers may submit nominations for their students. Each entry should include two statements explaining the reason for the submission. One statement should be written by the student; the other statement should be written by his/her teacher. Please limit each statement to no more than 300 words. Each entry should include a description of the light pollution project undertaken by the student. Acceptable formats for project descriptions are:
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Paper documents of less than 11 inches by 17 inches
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Electronic files under 2MB submitted on CD
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Electronic files under 2MB submitted as attachments by email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
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Web page or URLs submitted by email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Judging: Judges shall be an interdisciplinary, independent panel (not to include IDA staff or IDA board members) appointed by the IDA education working group. The panel shall assess each entry relative to the following criteria:
- Demonstration that the student understands at least two of the following aspects of light pollution: science, technology, society, environment
- Demonstration that the student has learned effective research and communication skills
- Demonstration that the student is creative in thought and expression
- Accuracy, creativity, and overall effectiveness of the project
Judging shall be for the three seperate educational levels:
- Lower grades: K - 6th grade (or international equivalent)
- Middle grades: 7th - 9th grade (or international equivalent)
- Upper grades: 10th - 12th grade (or international equivalent)
Awards will be announced and presented at the IDA Annual Meeting or European Symposium. Students and teachers will receive a one-year IDA gift membership.
Deadline: August 31, 2012
Nominations: Nominate a student for the George & Edythe Taylor Student Award by submitting the nomination form to
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Demonstration that the student is creative in thought and expression
- Accuracy, creativity, and overall effectiveness of the project
Judging shall be for the three seperate educational levels:
- Lower grades: K - 6th grade (or international equivalent)
- Middle grades: 7th - 9th grade (or international equivalent)
- Upper grades: 10th - 12th grade (or international equivalent)
Awards will be announced and presented at the IDA Annual Meeting or European Symposium. Students and teachers will receive a one-year IDA gift membership.
Deadline: August 31, 2012
Nominations: Nominate a student for the George & Edythe Taylor Student Award by submitting the nomination form to
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it