Voyageurs National Park staff want to investigate how best they can protect the park's night skies from light pollution/NPS file

How best the night skies over Voyageurs National Park in Minnesota can be kept as dark as possible is the question park staff will raise with the public later this month.

Staff plan to host two public forums, one on August 28 at the Rainy Lake Visitor Center at 7 p.m., and the second on August 29 at the Ash River Visitor Center, also at 7 p.m. The discussion is to revolve around the process for Dark Sky Park Certification. Information presented at the forums will include the Dark Sky Park Certification and effective outdoor lighting principles. The events are sponsored by Voyageurs National Park Association, the official partner of the park.

International Dark Sky Park certification promotes public education and astronomy based recreation in parks while improving energy efficiency and reduced operational costs through outdoor lighting upgrades, which in turn creates economic opportunities for neighboring communities through astronomy-based tourism.

“We are excited to begin the conversation with our local community regarding the preservation of dark night skies at the national park,” said Voyageurs Superintendent Bob DeGross. “This certification has the potential to be the perfect marriage of technology and education. Voyageurs National Park is one of the best places in America to see a breathtaking array of stars, planets, and neighboring galaxies.”

The certification does not carry any legal or regulatory authority. Rather, it demonstrates a commitment by parks to improve night skies through the use of more energy efficient and sustainable lighting. Certification also reaffirms a commitment to educate the public and gateway communities about the importance of park-friendly, outdoor lighting and opportunities to work together toward common goals.