[Sust-mar] Announcement: Kejimkujik Dark Sky Preserve

[Dave Chapman]

THE ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY OF CANADA

LA SOCIÉTÉ ROYALE D'ASTRONOMIE DU CANADA

RASC Designates Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site of  
Canada as a New Dark Sky Preserve

TORONTO, CANADA (July 7, 2010) – On July 1, 2010 the Royal  
Astronomical Society of Canada (RASC) officially designated Kejimkujik  
National Park and National Historical Site of Canada in southwest Nova  
Scotia as a new RASC Dark Sky Preserve through its National  
Certification Program. Kejimkujik is the 12th Dark Sky Preserve in  
Canada, and the first in Nova Scotia, to be designated by the RASC.

Kejimkujik National Historic Site was home to the Mi’kmaq people for  
2000 years and a novel element of the Kejimkujik DSP is the inclusion  
of aboriginal sky lore in the programming, connecting the cultural  
heritage with the star patterns visible from the site

Together with the RASC, Parks Canada Agency recognizes that natural  
darkness is an ecological resource in need of protection and both  
organizations are committed to lighting practices that preserve the  
beauty and wonder of the dark sky and night environment for all  
Canadians to enjoy.

Through this recognition, Kejimkujik National Park is committed to  
protecting the night environment from the impact of artificial  
lighting. The Park is supported by the RASC Halifax Centre to assist  
it in the development of nighttime programs to take advantage of the  
dark night sky and its contributions to Canadian culture.

For ten years the RASC’s Dark Sky Preserve (DSP) Program has been  
increasing public awareness of the beauty of the night sky and the  
deteriorating effects of artificial lighting. DSP’s are regions with  
exceptionally dark skies accessible to the general public. The  
lighting protocol for DSP’s restricts the illumination level, extent,  
duration and colour to minimize its impact on the appearance of the  
night sky and the behaviour of wildlife. The DP status will preserve  
the natural state of the region for the health and vitality of flora  
and fauna and for the enjoyment of the public.

The lighting protocol is based on wildlife and human research into the  
biological need for dark nights (scotobiology). The RASC Dark Sky  
Preserve Program is recognized by the International Union for the  
Conservation of Nature (IUCN), an independent organization that  
advises UNESCO and national governments on environmental protection  
issues.

The DSP Program has three objectives: to limit adverse effects of  
lighting within the Park, provide a guide for suitable lighting used  
within the Park, and suggests lighting policies that may be applied to  
urban areas beyond the Park boundaries. The latter will protect the  
DSP from deterioration by surrounding light pollution.

Founded in 1868, the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada is Canada's  
leading astronomy organization bringing together more than 4,000  
enthusiastic amateurs, educators and professionals. RASC and its 29  
Centres across Canada offer both national and local programming and  
services. RASC is dedicated to the Advancement of Astronomy and Allied  
Sciences and stimulating and inspiring interest to promote and  
increase knowledge in astronomy and related sciences in Canada.

There will be an official designation event at Keji on Saturday,  
August 7.

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Dave Chapman              Outreach | Dark Sky Preserves

Royal Astronomical Society of Canada - Halifax Centre

(902) 463-9103                www.astronomynovascotia.ca
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