DarkSky Oregon
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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