DarkSky International Movement

Seeing stars? Discover how Blossom Rock supports the DarkSky movement.
You've probably noticed there are fewer lights lining Blossom Rock’s neighborhood streets than nearby areas, and there's good reason for that. Blossom Rock’s limited lighting plan is all by design to support the DarkSky International movement. In fact, DarkSky communities like Blossom Rock are all over the world.
There's no doubt when the sun goes down artificial light keeps us working and playing outdoors. But when overused, outdoor lighting can disrupt human health and wildlife patterns, wastes energy, contribute to climate change, and dims our connection to the stars above.

Light pollution
Light pollution can especially harm nocturnal animals that need an environment with regular, uninterrupted day and nighttime hours. In fact, research has shown that light pollution creates drastic effects for most organisms by changing their feeding habits, mating behaviors, migration timing, and social interactions. Light pollution has also been linked to harmful effects on human health, from circadian rhythms to mental well-being.
The DarkSky movement seeks to dial down the excessive glow of artificial lights at night. In other words, reducing light pollution from the bright fixtures that illuminate our homes, streets and cities.

How it began
The movement started with a group of astronomers concerned about evening skyglow in urban areas where the light from both natural and human-made sources was creating an orange smog in the sky, blocking views of the stars. (Have you heard of Earth Hour or International DarkSky Week? These campaigns are also part of the DarkSky movement.)
The advantages of minimizing light pollution are many, including increased visibility of stars and planets, enhanced health of people and wildlife, improved safety with more effective and targeted lighting, and decreased energy usage.
One way to limit light pollution is through DarkSky lighting, a concept started in the 1950s in Flagstaff, Ariz. Believe it or not, this city of 70,000+ residents have skies dark enough to see the Milky Way, thanks to their DarkSky minded lighting. Now that's out of this world!

The requirements
So, what is considered DarkSky lighting? There are a few key components, including lights with lower wattage, lights that are shielded on the top and sides so light doesn't go up to the sky, and lights that are only used when needed (cue the motion detectors).

More information
DarkSky International, founded in 1988 and headquartered in Tucson, Ariz., is a not-for-profit organization that works to protect the night skies for current and future generations. Visit their website to access responsible outdoor lighting ideas, practical conservation considerations, and a list of designated DarkSky parks in the area.

How is Blossom Rock helping the DarkSky movement?
As a DarkSky community, Blossom Rock is on board with the DarkSky movement and the benefits that come with it. Warm streetlights have been targeted to intersections while house coach lights — operated via photocells — help illuminate the streets in between. If your coach lights are not turned on and off via photocells, you're highly encouraged to flip the switch to those lights once it's nightfall. To align with the initiative, the Blossom Rock Design Guidelines also have parameters in place (see section 6 beginning on pg. 114) to help reduce light pollution in our community.

What you can do
While outdoor lighting is essential for safe streets, walkways and front porches, and as attractive landscape accents, they can be installed and operated in a mindful manner. The Blossom Rock Design Guidelines have specifications for exterior lighting warmth, lumens, and fixture quantity and style. You'll want to check the guidelines for the full specs, but here's a quick rundown:
• Your dwelling's outdoor lighting should give off a warm white color and preferably come from an LED light source.
• The light from the fixtures should be shielded to minimize glare, "hot spots," and light spill to nearby properties, streets, and the evening sky.
• The ultimate goal is to preserve the darkness of the night sky while providing a sensible amount of lighting for both safety and aesthetics.