On January 9^th, 2024, DarkSky International officially launched the DarkSky Approved Lodging Program. DarkSky Approved Lodging is an overnight visitor accommodation with exceptional or distinguished quality starry nights and a nighttime environment preserved through on-site DarkSky Approved lighting. They include camps, seasonal campgrounds, hotels and resorts, retreat centers, properties promoting ecotourism, and astrotourism lodges that are located in dark sky locations. Certified lodging facilities go through a rigorous review and certification process, including regular reporting and periodic recertification.

DarkSky Approved Lodging criteria:

+ The facility is located in a region with an exceptional dark sky resource.

+ The facility understands sensitive nighttime resources and appropriate means of reducing the impact of light at night.

+ The facility showcases exemplary outdoor lighting practices.

+ The facility allows regular nighttime access to guests and provides educational or outreach material about night sky conservation to guests.

More information can be found here.

Image: Under Canvas Lake Powell – Grand Staircase. First DarkSky Approved Lodging location

Top image: DarkSky International

David Shiller

David Shiller is the Publisher of LightNOW, and President of Lighting Solution Development, a North American consulting firm providing business development services to advanced lighting manufacturers. The ALA awarded David the Pillar of the Industry Award. David has co-chaired ALA’s Engineering Committee since 2010. David established MaxLite’s OEM component sales into a multi-million dollar division. He invented GU24 lamps while leading ENERGY STAR lighting programs for the US EPA. David has been published in leading lighting publications, including LD+A, enLIGHTenment Magazine, LEDs Magazine, and more.

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