When the Rozsa Center set up its program schedule, Executive Director Kiersten Birondo knew she wanted National Geographic to return to Houghton. Next week, photographer Babak Tafreshi will lead a program and share why he finds dark skies around the world beautiful, including in the Keweenaw Peninsula.
Keweenaw Land Trust Executive Director B Lauer adds the conservation group was invited to join National Geographic by the Rozsa Center to bring a local perspective on dark skies in communities.
“And so it presents this new opportunity for people to engage with the outdoors in a way that’s kind of different and challenges how most people think about outdoor recreation,” Lauer said. “And for people who are visiting the area, like I said, people don’t have this in their backyard. You live in Detroit or in Lansing or even in Marquette and you have to drive to be able to experience really true darkness outside at night.”
While dark sky tourism and activities have grown in popularity in recent years, a 2012 law in Michigan prevents the creation of new state-designated dark sky parks in the Upper Peninsula. Some advocacy groups say these types of spaces could add to communities’ tourism industries and bring a new avenue of economics to a region.
Lauer says the biggest challenge to dark skies has, and will continue to start with development and light pollution. She says communities can embrace dark skies by being intentional and planning for the future when considering new developments.
Learn more about Nat Geo: Earth After Dark here. Learn more about Keweenaw Land Trust Nature by Night events here.
Comments