What is the Starry Skies Initiative? The Starry Skies Initiative is an effort by the Friends of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore to raise awareness of the beauty of the night sky over the Apostle Islands and the need for communities in the Chequamegon Bay area to work together to protect that resource.

How bad is the light pollution problem? Worldwide, nearly 80 percent of the human population lives in areas where the Milky Way is not visible due to light pollution. In the U.S. the night sky is dimmed for over 90 percent of our population. Recent studies indicate that light pollution is increasing at least 10 percent each year around the world. 

What are the effects of light pollution? A growing body of scientific evidence links the brightening night skies to increasing risks for obesity, depression, sleep disorders, diabetes, breast cancer and more in humans. It shows dangers for wildlife including disruption of migratory behaviors, changes in breeding cycles, unnatural growth patterns in plants, and increased susceptibility to predators. 

What is the situation like in the Apostle Islands? The Apostle Islands have some of the darkest, most pristine night skies remaining in the Midwest. The clarity of night skies is measured on the nine level “Bortle Scale” with the darkest skies given a rating of 1 and the most light-affected areas such as cities rated as 9. Areas rated 1 on the Bortle Scale in the U.S. include such places as Alaska’s Denali National Park, Death Valley National Park in California, Big Bend National Park in Texas, and parts of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in Minnesota. While official light readings are yet to be completed in the Apostle Islands, the encroachment of lights from along the South Shore of Wisconsin and the North Shore of Minnesota likely put the Apostle Islands in the Bortle 2 range of dark skies.

What can be done to help? Working to solve light pollution does not mean living in the dark. It simply involves all of us looking closely at the range of outdoor lights at our homes, at our businesses, in our communities, and ensuring that each light source falls under the “Five Principles of Responsible Outdoor Lighting” as stipulated by the International Dark Sky Association as shown in the following graphic.

Graphic by Dark Sky International

When changing lightbulbs or installing new outdoor light fixtures, consider the growing number of “Dark Sky Certified” bulbs and fixtures on the market that will give you the light you need, be cost effective, and help keep the stars shining brightly (product list can be found at www.darksky.org). If you own a business, inspect your lighting at that location. Hooded lighting and lower wattage bulbs can be just as safe and even more cost effective. Ask the businesses that you patronize to consider dark sky lighting to save money and protect dark skies. Ask your local town and county boards and planning commissioners to consider a dark sky ordinance that will highlight the economic and ecological benefits (template ordinances available at www.darksky.org.)

Isn’t it more expensive? Studies show that by directing light where it is most needed (some 30% of light from many outdoor lights is wasted by going straight up), by using only the brightness necessary and not over-lighting, and by using controllers to turn lights off when they are not needed, Dark-Sky approved lighting can actually be more cost effective saving an estimated $3.3 billion annually if all U.S. outdoor lighting was Dark Sky approved. 

Isn’t more light safer? Studies show no direct correlation between the amount of light and a reduction in crime. It is the right kind of light in the right places at the right time that is the safest. Directed light illuminating specific areas with fixtures that eliminate blinding glare set on motion detection switches seem to be the most effective at increasing safety. There is no need to sacrifice the stars for our safety. 

Graphic by Dark Sky International

What are the goals of the Starry Skies Initiative? Our goals are to raise awareness of and appreciation for the incredible natural resource we have in the dark skies of the Apostle Islands – through programs, presentations, sky-viewing opportunities, photography, astronomy gatherings, and more – and then working with individuals, communities, businesses, and government agencies to ensure that we all use safe, effective, and efficient lighting where possible. That process has already begun at places such as Mount Ashwabay Ski Area and the Bayfield public library.

What will change in the Park? Outside of the few mainland facilities, there are few sources of light pollution within the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. Most of our focus will be on working with surrounding landowners, businesses, and communities to lessen the spill of light pollution into the park. We hope to eventually work with the park to explore the long-term possibility of pursing a Dark Sky Park certification through the International Dark Sky Association so that the Apostle Islands can join the over 200 Dark Sky places in 22 countries on six continents including such places as Voyageurs National Park, the Keweenaw Dark Sky Park in Michigan, the Boundary Waters Canoe Area in Minnesota, and Wisconsin’s only Dark Sky Park in Newport State Park. This will be a 3-to-5-year project including the development of lighting management plans, systematic monitoring in the park, and more but would highlight the Apostle Islands as one of the nation’s few remaining places where the wonders of the dark sky are both recognized and protected, for everyone. 

How can I help? Join the Starry Skies Initiative of Friends of the Apostle Islands on our website. Consider conducting a self-assessment of your home’s outdoor lighting using the Five Principles of Responsible Outdoor Lighting found above or at the Darksky.org website. You can even register your home as a certified dark sky home there as well. Talk to your neighbors. Bring up the topic with your community leaders and officials. Attend star-gazing and dark sky festivals in your area or start your own. Introduce proclamations to your local and state officials (example proclamations found at darksky.org.)