National Park Service advances plans to relocate Chequamegon Point Light Tower
(Apostle Islands National Lakeshore News Release) BAYFIELD, Wis. — Apostle Islands National Lakeshore has awarded a...
International Dark Sky Week focuses attention on the starry skies over the Apostle Islands
The Apostle Islands have some of the most beautiful night skies in the country. Will you help us work to keep them that way? In 2024, Friends of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore has launched our Starry Skies Initiative. It’s designed to identify and monitor light pollution threatening the lakeshore, and to engage in public outreach, increase awareness, and pursue potential certification for the Apostle Islands as an International Dark Sky Park through the Dark Sky International.
In the months since then, the Wisconsin chapter of Dark Sky International has formed. Friends Executive Director Jeff Rennicke is on the board. Dark Sky Wisconsin says, “Wisconsin currently has one DarkSky International certified location: Newport State Park located on the Door peninsula. The Apostle Islands National Lakeshore in the northern tier of the state, and Kickapoo Valley Reserve in the southwest are both currently working to achieve the DarkSky International certification. More recently, a group has formed to achieve the same result for Copper Falls State Park in the north. We’re also aware of a number of efforts by smaller cities and municipalities to achieve Dark Sky Community status, where more populated areas commit to enacting lighting ordinances and educating their residents about best practices in outdoor lighting.”
In recognition of those efforts, Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers issued a proclamation designating April 21 through 28, 2025 as International Dark Sky Week. In it, he says “Wisconsin’s star-filled skies are a part of the state’s natural heritage and the experience of standing beneath a dark, star-filled night sky can inspire feelings of wonder and awe and may even encourage interest in science and nature, particularly in young people.”
The proclamation acknowledges that light pollution threatens the state’s natural night environment, disrupts ecosystems, can harm wildlife by altering natural behavioral and migration patterns; and can also impact human health by disrupting sleep patterns, raising stress levels, and leading to a range of health problems.
The good news is that unlike several other forms of pollution, light pollution is reversible, and communities that implement efficient lighting strategies can enhance public safety by minimizing glare while ensuring sufficient illumination for streets and public spaces.
You can do your part by choosing the correct lighting for your home or business and by thanking those businesses in your community that do the same.
Good things are happening locally. Bayfield’s Carnegie Library has embraced improving its outdoor lighting. The new lighting is now installed. Mount Ashwabay is also working on a plan to improve their lighting. Much more work remains to be done. Be a star. Join Friends of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore and help us protect our starry skies.
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