To look up at the night sky and be able to see the stars is becoming an increasingly rare occurrence. Recent studies indicate that worldwide, nights are getting 10 percent brighter every year. And in Marin, it’s estimated that our skies are growing 7 percent brighter annually. But a local group is working to keep skies dark, and the reasoning goes beyond an appreciation of astronomy.
Inspired by U.S.–based nonprofit DarkSky International, DarkSky West Marin is a community-led initiative dedicated to preserving the region’s night sky. But the impetus for supporting this cause isn’t just about seeing the stars; it’s also about the negative impact that artificial lights have on the environment. As Peggy Day, co-founder of DarkSky West Marin, explains, it all started in 2020 when she and co-founder Laura Arndt, both officers in the Point Reyes Station Village Association, were tasked with dealing with complaints about trespassing light, which are lights that shine beyond the boundaries of a property.
“And then we discovered how much the light was affecting all the animals and plants, affecting their growth cycles,” says Day. “Even on the coast, lights that are next to a body of water affect the habits of the fish and the other wildlife.”
It was Arndt who eventually floated the idea of DarkSky designation, and their own regional gathering, originally known as DarkSky Point Reyes, soon took off. Today, the group is known as DarkSky West Marin, and they’re planning to file an application to DarkSky International for Dark Sky Place certification. The process includes making sure that 80 percent of lighting in the region conforms to specific guidelines: lights must be directed only to where they’re needed, on only when needed, no brighter than necessary, and warmly colored. This is achieved by replacing existing lights with DarkSky Approved lighting, and then the streetlights and private lights are inventoried to prove to DarkSky International that the region has met these guidelines. Day stresses that these are not policies, merely suggestions, and that the majority of private owners have been happy to make the changes. If the application proves successful, you’ll know when you see the signs — literally. Signs would be installed in various places informing visitors that West Marin is a Dark Sky community.
“I’ve lived here more than 50 years, and I used to be able to see all the stars and the Milky Way and everything, but now there’s this huge dome of light coming from San Francisco and Highway 101,” says Day. “So I’m hoping our efforts spread.”
In the meantime, anyone hoping to partake in the benefits of darker nighttime can join in on some stargazing hosted by local astronomer Don Jolley. These events are held once a month on the Giacomini wetlands between the third quarter and new phases of the moon.
“There’s a contingent of faithful locals, as well as folks from as far away as Pacifica and Sonoma,” says Jolley. He teaches the names of planets, stars and constellations, but finds a deeper component to share as well: “Every human hope and fear, every ambition, every tale of delight and caution is recorded and expressed in the stories of the stars.”
You can find more of Marty Knapp’s photography on his website.
