New program strives to reduce light pollution

DarkSky Texas announces the new Better Outdoor Lighting Design Initiative intended to reach more Texans about ways to improve outdoor lighting to benefit ourselves, the economy, and nature.

“DarkSky Texas represents the recognized global authority on better lighting to reduce light pollution,” said Cindy Luongo Cassidy, DarkSky Texas president. “Reducing the negative impact of man-made light at night benefits human health and wildlife. It reduces energy usage, protects our heritage of the natural night sky, and improves our ability to see, thus improving safety.”

The all-volunteer, non-profit organization designed the BOLD Initiative to collaborate with businesses, conservation organizations, local governments, and other Texans who strive to care for our State’s fantastic night skies. DarkSky Texas will partner with and celebrate those eager to chip away at their artificial light footprint and educate their employees and the public about how they can do it too.

Interested potential partners may sign up for the BOLD Initiative through the DarkSky Texas website. The organization’s team will work with BOLD partners to design a customized solution to help them adjust their existing lights, minimize their environmental impact, and lower their electricity bills. The DarkSky Texas team will also collaborate with BOLD Initiative partners to integrate science-based dark sky education into their inhouse and public facing messaging.

DarkSky Texas is in the midst of a major donor drive to carry out its mission. The organization, formerly known as IDA Texas since its founding 25 years ago, is the only chapter of DarkSky International in Texas.

Steadily increasing use of Artificial Light at Night now means that 99 percent of people in Europe and North America live under light polluted skies. Dark-sky friendly lighting can be used without polluting our natural night skies and allows us to see better.