RLEP DARK SKIES INITIATIVE RLEP Annual Meeting November 22, 2014

What? Encourage Rappahannock citizens to reduce use of artificial light at night

WHAT? (Cont’d)

WHAT? (Cont’d)

WHAT? (Cont’d) Milky Way at SNP

WHY (in general)? Injury to wildlife; e.g., Disruption of reproduction, endocrine, communication & migratory systems Birds crashing into illuminated tall buildings Unnecessary energy expenditures & associated pollution/increased carbon Interference with astrological hobby/study & human sleep But these effects are arguably minimal in Rappahannock, so . . .

WHY in RAPPAHANNOCK? Clear night sky is a key scenic value Central to RLEP mission of “keeping it natural” Central to County Charter’s goal of preserving scenic values Important (half the daily cycle is night!) Opportunity to teach about nature Dark sky is easily wrecked (white rug effect) Rappahannock is not perfect Easier to prevent than remedy (and we‘re surrounded!) Consider . . .

WHY in RAPPAHANNOCK? (cont’d) Before and after, turning on lights at one farmstead

WHY in RAPPAHANNOCK? (cont’d) Lights on our doorstep!

WHY in RAPPAHANNOCK? (cont’d) View from Long Mountain Road

WHY in RAPPAHANNOCK? (cont’d) View over Red Oak Mountain

HOW? Education Fund to defray cost of shields Needs to be part of every environmental initiative . . . We don’t protect what we don’t appreciate; we won’t appreciate what we don’t understand Newspaper, website, lectures, presentations to/work with BOS & other County leaders Get technical advice from science-based orgs; e.g., Smithsonian, NASM, Boston Museum of Science (which has a Dark Skies programs with Smithsonian/Harvard Astrophysics Observatory, and the Hayden Planetarium in NY). Involve schools? Astronomy club, etc? Goal: get the conversation going so citizens may rethink turning on/purchasing night lights Fund to defray cost of shields e.g., $20 or 75% of shield cost until fund is exhausted Promote REC program to supply shields for yard lights

Glare From Unshielded Lights

Shield Example

CONCLUSION (Milky Way Bending Over Big Meadows – Shields Installed)

THE END Thanks! Questions or Comments?