Congratulations, Paonia! Protecting our Dark Skies is important for many reasons, including protecting light-sensitive wildlife, birds, insects and our own views of the wonder-inducing starry skies and Milky Way.
Did you know that the Paonia River Park hosts a Dark Skies monitoring station? Aaron Watson with Dark Skies Paonia and Solar Energy International has been working to get Paonia this designation for many years! Thank you Aaron for all of your dedication!
From DarkSky International “Fantastic News! 🌟 We are thrilled to announce that the Town of Paonia, located on the Western Slope of Colorado, is now an officially recognized International Dark Sky Community!
With its pristine high-desert climate, Paonia offers an abundance of clear, starry nights where the Milky Way can often be seen from backstreets and open spaces. Surrounded by public lands like the Grand Mesa National Forest and DarkSky certified areas including: Black Canyon National Park, Curecanti National Recreation Area, and Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area. Paonia is a haven for those who cherish naturally dark and awe-inspiring skies.
Paonia’s commitment to preserving its rural charm and breathtaking nightscapes has been driven by the efforts of Dark Skies Paonia. Their work includes a comprehensive lighting ordinance adopted in 2022 and ongoing projects to improve the town’s lighting and sky quality monitoring”.
Read more on Paonia’s designation here! https://darksky.org/news/paonia-colorado-becomes-newest-international-dark-sky-communitypaonia/
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About the International Dark Sky Places Program: Founded in 2001, the International Dark Sky Places Program is a non-regulatory and voluntary program encouraging communities, parks, and protected areas worldwide to preserve and protect dark sites through effective lighting policies, environmentally responsible outdoor lighting, and public education. When used indiscriminately, artificial light can disrupt ecosystems, impact human health, waste money and energy, contribute to climate change, and block our view and connection to the universe. Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area now joins more than 210 Places that have demonstrated robust community support for dark sky advocacy and strive to protect the night from light pollution.
Learn more about Dark Skies and look out for the official announcement by visiting: https://darksky.org