DarkSky International, formerly known as the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA), is a nonprofit organization based in the United States. It was formed in 1988 by David Crawford, a professional astronomer, and Tim Hunter, a doctor and amateur astronomer. The mission of DarkSky is to protect and preserve the nighttime environment and the history of dark skies by promoting well-designed outdoor lighting.
Light pollution occurs when outdoor lighting is not properly covered, causing light to enter the eyes or the night sky. Light that shines directly into the eyes is called glare, and light that travels upward into the sky above the horizon creates a glow known as skyglow. Poorly directed lighting can also cause light trespass, which happens when light enters areas where it is not wanted, such as a neighbor’s yard or windows. DarkSky is the first and currently the largest organization working to address these issues in the dark-sky movement.
Principal approach
DarkSky's main method is to teach people about the importance of dark, star-filled nights and to promote ways to protect and improve these skies. The organization does this by sharing information about the issues causing light pollution and solutions, such as using outdoor lighting that reduces light pollution. In 2011, DarkSky had around 5,000 members in 70 countries.
International Dark Sky Places
DarkSky has a program called the International Dark Sky Places. This program helps communities, parks, and protected areas around the world protect dark places by using responsible lighting and teaching people about the importance of dark skies. There are five types of designations for International Dark Sky Places:
- International Dark Sky Sanctuaries
- International Dark Sky Parks
- International Dark Sky Reserves
- International Dark Sky Communities
- Urban Night Sky Places
DarkSky says International Dark Sky Sanctuaries are the most remote and often darkest places in the world. These places need special care because their darkness is easy to harm.
Examples of International Dark Sky Sanctuaries include:
• !Ae!Hai Kalahari Heritage Park, South Africa (designated 2019)
• Aotea / Great Barrier Island, New Zealand (designated 2017)
• Oregon Outback, Oregon, United States (designated 2024)
• Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, Minnesota, United States (designated 2020)
• Beaver Islands State Wildlife Research Area
• Cosmic Campground, United States (designated 2016)
• Devils River State Natural Area – Del Norte Unit, United States (designated 2019)
• Bardsey Island/Ynys Enlli, Wales (United Kingdom) (designated 2023)
• Gabriela Mistral Dark Sky Sanctuary Elqui Valley, Chile (designated 2015)
• Kaikōura Dark Sky Sanctuary, New Zealand (designated 2024)
• Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument, United States (designated 2020)
• Massacre Rim Wilderness Study Area, Washoe County, Nevada, United States (designated 2019)
• Medicine Rocks State Park, United States (designated 2020)
• Niue (designated 2020) – the first entire country to be designated
• Pitcairn Islands (designated 2019)
• Rainbow Bridge National Monument, United States (designated 2018)
• Stewart Island / Rakiura, New Zealand (designated 2019)
• Tāhuna Glenorchy Dark Sky Sanctuary, New Zealand (designated 2025)
• The Jump-Up, Queensland, Australia (designated 2019)
DarkSky says International Dark Sky Parks are spaces that are protected for nature and use good outdoor lighting. These places also offer programs to teach visitors about dark skies.
Examples of International Dark Sky Parks include:
• Natural Bridges National Monument, Utah, United States (designated 2006)
• Cherry Springs State Park, Pennsylvania, United States (designated 2008)
• Galloway Forest Park, Scotland, United Kingdom (designated 2009)
• Zselic National Landscape Protection Area, Hungary (designated 2009)
• Clayton Lake State Park, New Mexico, United States (designated 2010)
• Goldendale Observatory State Park, Washington, United States (designated 2010, suspended 2016, revoked 2017)
• Hortobágy National Park, Hungary (designated 2011)
• The Headlands, Michigan, United States (designated 2011)
• Observatory Park, Ohio, United States (designated 2011)
• Big Bend National Park, Texas, United States (designated 2012)
• Big Bend Ranch State Park, Texas, United States (designated 2017)
• Death Valley National Park, California, United States (designated 2013)
• Chaco Culture National Historical Park, New Mexico, United States (designated 2013)
• Northumberland National Park, England, United Kingdom (designated 2013)
• Eifel National Park, Germany (designated 2014)
• Mayland Community College Blue Ridge Observatory and Star Park, North Carolina, United States (designated 2014)
• Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument, Arizona, United States (designated 2014)
• Hovenweep National Monument, Utah and Colorado, United States (designated 2014)
• Copper Breaks State Park, Texas, United States (designated 2014)
• Enchanted Rock State Natural Area, Texas, United States (designated 2014)
• Elan Valley Estate, Wales, United Kingdom (designated 2015)
• Yeongyang Firefly Eco Park, Yeongyang, South Korea (designated 2015)
• Mayo International Dark Sky Park, County Mayo, Ireland (designated 2016)
• Warrumbungle National Park, New South Wales, Australia (designated 2016)
• Dead Horse Point State Park, Utah, United States (designated 2016)
• Wupatki National Monument, Arizona, United States (designated 2016)
• Walnut Canyon National Monument, Arizona, United States (designated 2016)
• Sunset Crater National Monument, Arizona, United States (designated 2016)
• Big Cypress National Preserve, Florida, United States (designated 2016)
• Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park, Alberta, Canada and Montana, United States (designated 2017)
• Ramon Crater, Negev Desert, Israel (designated 2017)
• Kartchner Caverns State Park, Arizona, United States (designated 2017)
• Joshua Tree National Park, California, United States (designated 2017)
• Newport State Park, Wisconsin, United States (designated 2017)
• Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve, Idaho (designated 2017)
• Obed Wild and Scenic River, Tennessee, United States (designated 2017)
• Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, California, United States (designated 2018)
• Iriomote-Ishigaki National Park, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan (designated 2018)
• Steinaker State Park, Utah, United States (designated 2018)
• Middle Fork River Forest Preserve, Illinois, United States (designated 2018)
• Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, United States (designated 2019)
• Big Bend National Park, Texas, United States (designated 20
Fixture Seal of Approval
To encourage the use of outdoor lighting that is used wisely and helps reduce light pollution, DarkSky provides a program called the Fixture Seal of Approval. This program gives independent approval to lighting products that reduce bright light that causes discomfort, prevent light from shining where it is not wanted, and avoid harming the night sky.