Kendall County is working to become a designated Dark Sky Place. (Thom Schneider/Unsplash).
Officials in Kendall County are working to get the area designated as a Dark Sky Place. Here’s what you need to know.
For officials in Kendall County, light pollution (AKA the amount of human-made light that alters the amount of light that occurs on its own in nature) is becoming an increasingly pressing issue. The county is fortunate enough to enjoy and benefit from dark skies where the stars are clearly visible, and they’d like to keep it that way. To do so, several steps need to be taken to protect the area from further developments that would cause an influx of light pollution.
As Angela Speck, an astronomer and UTSA professor, explained it to Texas Public Radio, “You want to have as little going up into the sky as possible. It’s a little bit like, you know, when you have your phone and you have it on a low light, and you go out into a bright sun, and you can’t see the screen anymore. The more light we put up into the atmosphere, the less we can see the sky.”
Cutting back on certain things like outdoor billboards and car dealerships, both of which emit a steady stream of light, would allow locals to look up at the stars with minimal disruption. Additional fixes, like pointing lights downward instead of upward, would also aid in this goal.
An amateur astronomer in Kendall County, Jack Estes, agrees with county officials that applying for a Dark Sky designation would go a long way toward turning this dream into a reality. “If we can stop the light pollution from occurring in the first place, it’s much easier to stop it before it happens than once it’s already happened,” Estes told KSAT. That official designation would essentially outline what businesses were and weren’t allowed to do when it comes to operating outdoor lights at night.
But what exactly is a Dark Sky designation? And what does it mean to be a Dark Sky Place? We’ve got all the answers for you below.
What is a Dark Sky Place?
Dark Sky International is an organization focused on reducing light pollution to better protect wildlife, the environment, and how we’re able to access and enjoy the stars at night. Over 200 regions have officially become designated as Dark Places through the organization’s certification process, which basically means those areas are taking preventative measures to keep human-made light out of their skies. In Texas, 23 areas have already been granted this distinction, including the cities of Blanco, Jonestown, and Bee Cave, as well as Big Bend Ranch State Park and the Lost Creek Development. For a full list of International Dark Sky Places in Texas, click here.
Now, in terms of Kendall County receiving its designation, officials said it can take up to two years to get the application accepted. In the meantime, the county’s website notes that it will be requiring people to apply for a permit before they install any lights outside.
The site also states that, “the influx of people into the region over the years and accompanying light trespass from area lighting fixtures and billboards has been steadily on the rise, and these factors have impacted the natural environment and the quality of life of the people of this region by, among other things, reducing night sky visibility and enjoyment for residents and visitors alike.”
Officials also pointed out that light pollution is detrimental to nearby military personnel who are less able to complete nighttime training exercises with ease when the surrounding area is too bright.
A county resolution filed back in 2020 reads, “preserving the rich historic heritage and starry night skies of Kendall County is important for Kendall County to remain unique among other fast-growing Texas Counties,” and that it’s a vital part of protecting the US military as well.
The hope is that an official Dark Sky Place designation will allow for the necessary rules, restrictions, and guidelines needed to protect the area’s natural beauty and wildlife for years to come.
This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.
