Turning Off the Lights at Chaco

Turning Off the Lights at Chaco

•Problem: impacts to night skies; impacts to wildlife; impacts to vegetation

•Management Strategies: increase supply; reduce the impact of use

•Management Practices: facility development/ site design/maintenance; information/ education

Turning Off the Lights at Chaco

•Chaco Culture National Historical Park•1907•World Heritage Site

Chaco Culture National Historical Park

Turning Off the Lights at Chaco

•Importance of “natural darkness”•Internal and external threats•Retrofitting park lighting (shielding, motion sensors, removal)

From To

Turning Off the Lights at Chaco

•Stimulated changes throughout NPS•Interpretive programs, “star parties”, observatory

Andromeda Galaxy taken from Chaco Observatory

Turning Off the Lights at Chaco•New Mexico Night Sky Protection Act•New Mexico Heritage Preservation Alliance

•National Parks Conservation Association•NPS Night Sky Team•National Parks Milky Way Posters•International Dark-Sky Association•George Wright Forum Article