Dark-sky Movement - Dark-sky Preserves

Dark-sky Preserves

Dark-sky preserves are the main contributors to the dark-sky movement. They are a protected area found mostly in national parks that have a zero light pollution policy set in by the government and controlled by the National Dark Sky Association.

As of February 6, 2012, there was a total of 35 formally recognized dark-sky preserves recorded in the world with Canada in the lead containing 15 different preserves. These preserves are located in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec, Ontario, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia. Other countries that have dark-sky preserves are the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, Spain, United Kingdom, and the United States.

The parks are put in place by the Dark Sky Places program with the intention to remind us that the night sky serves just as much importance to our culture and history as our day-time sky.

Canadian Geographic featured an article on dark-sky preserves in Canada. The top national park in Canada that has incorporated a dark-sky preserve is Jasper National Park, located in Jasper, Alberta.