DarkSky Oregon
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Oregon National Caves National Monument and Preserve
Nestled in the rugged beauty of the Siskiyou Mountains, Oregon Caves National Monument and Preserve offers a journey through time and space—both beneath the earth’s surface and under its dazzling night skies. Located in southern Oregon, this 4,554-acre sanctuary protects a labyrinth of marble caves and an expansive wilderness teeming with biodiversity, where endangered and endemic species flourish in old-growth forests. The Park’s unique ecosystem is a testament to the region’s rich geologic history, a saga of shifting mountains, evolving climates, and thriving life.
Nestled in the rugged beauty of the Siskiyou Mountains, Oregon Caves National Monument and Preserve offers a journey through time and space—both beneath the earth’s surface and under its dazzling night skies. Located in southern Oregon, this 4,554-acre sanctuary protects a labyrinth of marble caves and an expansive wilderness teeming with biodiversity, where endangered and endemic species flourish in old-growth forests. The Park’s unique ecosystem is a testament to the region’s rich geologic history, a saga of shifting mountains, evolving climates, and thriving life.
Now, Oregon Caves National Monument and Preserve (ORCA) celebrates a new milestone: recognition as an International Dark Sky Park by DarkSky International. This certification underscores the Park’s commitment to conserving its pristine night skies and preserving the nocturnal environment for generations to come. ORCA joins an exclusive network of only 128 Dark Sky Parks worldwide and stands as Oregon’s second such destination, following Prineville Reservoir State Park.
Amber Harrison, Program Manager for DarkSky International’s Dark Sky Places Program, hailed the achievement: “This designation highlights ORCA’s dedication to conservation, offering visitors an unparalleled blend of natural and celestial wonders while fostering community engagement and environmental stewardship.”
A Commitment to Night Sky Preservation
The dark skies over ORCA remain a sanctuary from the creeping glow of urban light pollution, thanks to the Park’s efforts to safeguard its nocturnal environment. Over the next decade, the Park will implement a three-phase lighting retrofit that adheres to DarkSky International’s Five Principles for Responsible Outdoor Lighting. By reducing artificial light and preserving natural darkness, ORCA ensures that its ecosystems and nightscapes retain their timeless character.
Buffer zones of undeveloped land around the Park further protect it from light trespass, creating a haven for stargazers and nocturnal wildlife alike. This initiative not only honors the ecological integrity of the region but also inspires educational outreach and scientific collaboration. From community programs to global partnerships, ORCA shines as a beacon of what’s possible when nature and human effort align.
A Legacy of Exploration and Wonder
Established in 1909 to protect its stunning marble cave systems, ORCA has long been a destination for discovery and recreation. Today, visitors can explore its fascinating caves, hike scenic trails, and marvel at the wildlife thriving in its old-growth forests. The addition of the International Dark Sky Park certification enhances the Park’s appeal, offering opportunities to witness some of the clearest night skies in the region.
Seasonal events, including guided cave tours and summer stargazing programs, invite visitors to connect deeply with the natural and celestial wonders of the Park. Star parties in ORCA’s Historic District and other nighttime activities bring the cosmos to life, fostering an appreciation for the beauty and significance of unspoiled night skies.
A Bright Future for Dark Skies
The recognition of ORCA as a Dark Sky Park is a testament to the tireless work of Park staff, volunteers, and collaborators like DarkSky Oregon. Their efforts ensure that the star-filled skies above the Siskiyou Mountains remain a source of inspiration and wonder, free from the encroaching haze of artificial light.
Whether you’re a curious explorer, an avid stargazer, or a wildlife enthusiast, Oregon Caves National Monument and Preserve offers a rare chance to step back in time—both to the geologic past beneath the earth and to a night sky as our ancestors saw it. Plan your visit and experience the magic of one of Oregon’s most extraordinary treasures.
Oregon Outback DarkSky Sanctuary on KGW-TV
For this episode of Let's Get Out There, our Matt Zaffino traveled to a place in south-central Oregon known as the "Oregon Outback."
Introducing the Oregon Outback International Dark Sky Sanctuary
We are thrilled to share some very exciting news – the first phase of the Oregon Outback International Dark Sky Sanctuary in southeastern Oregon has been certified by DarkSky International! At 2.5 million acres, the Oregon Outback International Dark Sky Sanctuary is the largest Dark Sky Sanctuary in the world. The newly-certified, star-studded Sanctuary in Lake County is within the largest intact area of world class dark skies in the lower 48 states and represents an area about one-half the size of New Jersey!
The Oregon Outback Dark Sky Network that submitted the nomination represents a diverse team of state and local land managers, businesses, nonprofits and private individuals that worked tirelessly for the past four years to reach this outstanding milestone. But they’re not done yet–the Network aspires to expand the certified area eastward into Harney and Malheur Counties to encompass a full 11.4 million acres!
The scale of this designation and the breadth of the partnership effort that went into it reflects the truly remarkable nighttime resource that we have here in Oregon, as well as the value of dark skies—for human and wildlife health, for the preservation of carefully choreographed ecosystem relationships, for our deep cultural history of looking skyward, and for the economic benefits to gateway cities in support of dark sky tourism.
DarkSky Oregon supports the OODS Network’s efforts by analyzing and providing night sky brightness measurement data and maps, which confirm the pristine nature of the Sanctuary’s night skies.
Learn more about this remarkable International Dark Sky Sanctuary and the efforts to protect Oregon’s night skies.
https://www.southernoregon.org/dark-skies/oregon-outback-dark-sky-sanctuary/#
Oregon Outback Dark Sky Network
The Oregon Outback, comprised of the remote lands of Lake, Harney and Malheur Counties, is a unique and remarkable part of the state and the country. With its pristine scenery, rich geological and cultural history, diverse recreational opportunities, and an abundance of public lands, the Oregon Outback is also recognized by residents and scientists alike as home to some of the darkest night skies in the world today.
The Oregon Outback Dark Sky Network is a voluntary grass-roots initiative to build an alliance of communities, businesses, local governments, ranchers, state and federal agencies, tribes, and Oregon Outback night sky enthusiasts to support a set of shared principles resulting in mutual community benefits and the long-term conservation of our starry night heritage.
The Oregon Outback Dark Sky Network will bring together a diverse group of stakeholders who support a community-based landscape-scale approach to dark sky conservation. The Dark Sky Network also recognizes that civic engagement is the foundation for a shared stewardship of our starry sky heritage.
Supporters of the Dark Sky Network are committed to the conservation of the Oregon Outback’s pristine night skies. Through community networking the Network will share approaches across the region for adopting policy, promoting educational outreach in support of natural night sky visibility and potential designation of the Outback’s most pristine dark-sky sites as Dark Sky Places per the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA).
SUPPORTERS:
Travel Southern Oregon
Lake County Chamber of Commerce
PLAYA
Fremont-Winema National Forest
Lakeview District - BLM
Rose City Astronomers
DarkSky Oregon
Basin and Range Dark Night Sky Cooperative Partnership
IDA Oregon has joined in a regional partnership with the Basin and Range Dark Night Sky Cooperative (External link)
IDA Oregon has joined in a regional partnership with the Basin and Range Dark Night Sky Cooperative