Thank You!

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Thank You! 〰️

So as our green hangover from Earth Day and International Dark Sky Week has passed and we look forward to the rest of 2022, IDA Chicago gives a big dark sky thanks to all of you that inspired us and celebrated with us.

Among the many, thank you Barb McKittrick and Forest Preserve District of Kane County. Thank you Remic Ensweiler and College of DuPage. Thank you Allison Webb Neill and Ben Franklin School High-Interest Day. Thank you Jay Womack, Geneva Natural Resources Commission, Geneva Earth Day Festival and Adam Dagley at Peck Farm. Thank you Angelique Harshman and Sue Omanson, Naperville Park District, Naperville Earth Day Festival and Jan Roehll from The Conservation Foundation for the introduction. Thank you Mark Christensen and Fox Valley Astronomical Association. Thank you Village of Westmont Environmental Improvement Commission. Thank you Catherine Bryla and Sag Moraine Native Plant Community. Thank you Forest Preserve District of Cook County, Rick Gering and Fox Valley Astronomical Society, Adler Planetarium and, of course, Tony Rapacz. Thank you Lori Hartnett and PEO International. Thank you Connie Schmidt and Sierra Club River Prairie Group. Thank you Lonnie Morris and DuPage Monarch Project. Thank you Jacquelyn Casazza and Go Green Glen Ellyn.

Also, a big thanks to Wheaton Park District for being the first Illinois park district to resolve to adhere to International Dark-Sky Association recommendations! Will the Glen Ellyn Park District be the second?

Our event with the Forest Preserve District of Cook County and Naperville Astronomical Association was IDA Chicago’s first stargazing event at the world’s largest Urban Dark Sky Park at Palos Preserve. Thanks to Rick and NAA and Adler Planetarium we were able to see many incredible objects in the sky, including two galaxies. It was great to see some of our favorite Sags! The Sags have hosted two dark sky webinars. Will there be a third?

We were fortunate to reach many attendees and readers during these past weeks. More wonderful organizations and people are more aware of the many adverse effects of light pollution, including its dire effects on birds during migration. More organizations and people are aware of the 5 simple steps that we can all take to reduce artificial light at night and to conserve our nocturnal environment.

Useful. All light should have a clear purpose.
Targeted. Light should be directed only to where needed.
Low Light Levels. Light should be no brighter than necessary.
Controlled. Light should be used only when it is useful.
Color. Use warmer color lights where possible.

Every little bit helps!

Better outdoor lighting design and policies will improve our environment. It may not help plant an oak or champion plastics and recycling, but it will improve our vision of our night sky, our peaceful enjoyment of a beautiful evening walk, human health and security, and the lives of our wildlife friends including moths, monarch butterflies, lightning bugs, amphibians, reptiles and birds. It will save us money and will reduce emissions of greenhouse gases. (Please plant an oak tree.)

As we move into this summer and fall, think about visiting an International Dark Sky place, including Palos Preserve, Newport State Park in Wisconsin and Lawless and Headlands in Michigan. Go to www.darksky.org for a complete list. You will never forget the incredible dark(er) sky view!

Again, thanks!!! Every day needs a night.