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To those devoid of imagination a blank place on the map is a useless waste; to others, the most valuable part."
- Aldo Leopold
Every person plays a role in the contribution or reduction of light pollution, but it starts with you. Without the work of individuals, light pollution will run rampant in the valley diminishing our connection to our natural heritage. The following are some ways you can make an impact in your community.
Learn
Take time to educate yourself on the effects of light pollution and how to make changes to your own home. Visit Dark Sky International to learn more.
Light pollution affects many different aspects of our world, see the different printable fliers for each subject below:
Connecting Dark Sky Advocacy is about connecting a person through the way they view the world. Not every person will see an issue through a lens of an ecologist, keep this in mind when educating others and outreaching about this issue.
Dark Sky Advocates don't advocate to turn off all the lights, lighting is needed for human uses, we just need the lights to be used efficiently. WVAC advocates for the conservation of the night sky resource through efficient lighting.
Be the Example
Look at your own home, how can you make a difference by reducing your own home's lighting? Utilize the 5 Smart Lighting Principles:
Purpose - What purpose does your light serve? Is it for safety or navigation?
Low-Level - Lighting rarely needs to be over 500 lumens, often times much less bright.
Shielded - aka full cutoff, lighting should be directed to the intended area to be lit, not trespassing beyond.
Amber Color - Lights should be lower than 2700 Kelvin, this means is should be more amber than a cool blue light.
Timer/Motion - Lights should rarely be left on for the night. Lights should be put on a motion detector or timer.
See these print outs for sharing:
Spread Awareness
Education is key in combating light pollution, connecting the individual needs to the reduction of light pollution.
Talk with your neighbor, friends, family, and co-workers; keep this issue relevant in your community.
We all know talking with neighbors about a light issue can be stressful and challenging. Here are some tips when talking with neighbors:
Light pollution should never be the first topic of discussion.
You should be on friendly terms.
An in-person conversation that leads into lighting is preferable from other methods of communication.
Recognizing, outside of physical light trespass this lighting decision is your neighbors. Getting defensive about lighting will lead nowhere. Instead, find common ground.
Recognize your neighbor's lighting needs, there may a need for the light that you don't know about.
If the light is needed, offer to help find solutions to their needs, while also having neighbor friendly lighting.
If you want to really win someone over, offer to help purchase the light for them.
Writing a letter or email should be the last resort and often reserved for STR owners that may not live in the area. For a template see link.
See Dark Sky International's webpage on this topic. Also, Methow Valley Dark Sky Coalition has made a great pdf handout regarding neighbor lighting.
Talking with Neighbors
It takes people to make a town, but it takes neighbors working together to make a community. We all call this place home and with that there are many different values and beliefs. Connecting with your neighbor is a common question we get. A few things to keep in mind:
Be on good terms with your neighbor
Lighting should never be the first topic in a conversation
Understand their lighting needs, why do they need/want the light?
Let them know how their lights effect you.
Be prepared with solutions to make both parties happy. (offering to pay for them is even better)
In person conversations are best. (May not be possible with STRs)
If the house is an STR and the owner is not living in the home, a letter may be required. You can find a letter template on DarkSky.org or here.
Advocate for Dark Skies
Protecting our dark skies takes a community, but it all begins with you. Start by making simple changes to your own property. Then expand your efforts through outreach to neighbors, local businesses, NGOs, and government agencies. Ready to take the next step in advocacy? Here is where to begin:
Join a local Dark Sky Advocacy Group
Reach out to the Wenatchee Valley Astronomy Club by emailing WVAstronomy@gmail.com and let us know you’re interested in helping out.
Connect with Dark Sky International
Become a global advocate and tap into workshops and expert presentations by signing up at darksky.org
Become a citizen scientist
Spend two minutes on a new moon night observing your sky and submit your data at Globeatnight.org
Celebrate International Dark Sky Week
Mark the week of the new moon in April by hosting or joining events—find details and resources at darksky.org/IDSW
Engage land management agencies
Ask your regional offices of the US Forest Service, Washington State Parks, WA Dept of Fish and Wildlife, WA DNR, US Fish & Wildlife Service, county parks departments, PUDs, and municipal parks what they’re doing to reduce light pollution. Reach out directly to directors or commissioners and share your concerns.
Contact local elected officials
Let your city council members and county commissioners know you support policies that protect our night sky.
Support businesses that feature nightscapes
Request mugs, shirts, prints, photos, books, and other products showcasing stars, boosting astrotourism and the local economy.
Request dark sky resources at your library
Ask your public library to expand its collection of astronomy and dark sky books and media. You can do that here.
Join a local astronomy club (Wenatchee Valley Astronomy Club)
Connect with fellow stargazers, learn about the universe, and build your passion for protecting the night sky. See our list of public events on our main home page.
Working with Businesses
Astrotourism shows us that protecting our night skies doesn’t have to be just a moral choice, it can also boost local economies and foster a deeper connection to nature. By inviting travelers to experience true darkness, communities create new revenue streams and inspire lifelong stewards of the environment.
Communities across the US are tapping into astrotourism by offering:
Lodging Experiences. Cabin getaways and boutique hotels featuring stargazing decks, on-site astronomy talks, or by promoting their dark skies as an amenity to the lodging.
Retail Merchandise. Locally designed clothing, mugs, stickers, and art prints showcasing constellations and celestial events.
Dining Under the Stars. Restaurants and cafes hosting full-moon dinners, night-sky based menu items, and cocktail hours illuminated by lanterns.
Each of these offerings turns a simple night out into an immersive, revenue generating adventure. By promoting dark-sky experiences, businesses don’t just sell products, they:
encourage visitors to look up and marvel at the cosmos
cultivate curiosity about astronomy and conservation
create personal memories tied to a place and its nightscape
This emotional bond makes travelers more likely to support local conservation efforts and return for future celestial events.
Ready to bring astrotourism to your community? Start by:
Partnering with astronomy clubs and local parks to host star-watching events.
Designing themed merchandise that celebrates your unique night sky.
Training staff to share fun facts about constellations, light pollution, and local wildlife.
Marketing dark-sky merchandise or astrotourism on social media and travel websites.
Small steps today can transform a business into a nighttime destination that shines year-round.
Astrotourism proves that economic growth and environmental stewardship can go hand in hand. Embrace the darkness, light up your bottom line, and turn every starry night into an unforgettable experience.
Working with Organizations
There are many different types of organizations out there. Environmental, Public Health, Community Services, Law Enforcement, Energy Efficiency organizations just to name a few. Dark Skies ties to all organizations in one way or another, the work that needs to be done is connecting the organization to dark skies. The more organizations joining the fight against light pollution the more awareness and strength we'll bring in the valley.
Here are some ways dark skies connect to a few sectors:
Environmental: by reducing artificial light at night we prevent the fragmentation of habitats, safeguard nocturnal pollination, avert the deadly migratory traps that lure birds into illuminated cities, maintain predator–prey balances, and protect the natural circadian rhythms that underpin the health and behavior of countless species.
Law Enforcement: Light doesn't make things safer, thoughtful light does. Communities often light up the night without thought of how it is being illuminated, often times making things less safe, rather than safer. With utilizing thoughtful lighting and Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) we can connect city planning and law enforcement organizations to using thoughtful planning and lighting, creating a space that reduces crime and the fear of crime.
Community Services: Our valley hums with nonprofits bringing the cosmos closer to home: libraries have become discovery hubs through the NCW Library of Things—where you can borrow telescopes, propose a Citizen Science Sky Quality Kit, or request STEM and space-themed materials—while parks and nature centers host guided stargazing hikes, constellation workshops, and moonlit storytelling under whispering pines, and bilingual services translate sky guides and offer skygazing events in Spanish, Marshallese, and more. By weaving together libraries, outdoor education, and multilingual outreach, we unite under a starlit canopy, empowering every curious soul to explore the universe above.
Energy Efficiency: Our valley is home to organizations that can play a powerful role in advancing dark sky preservation through energy-efficient lighting. Chelan PUD offers a lighting rebate program that helps residents save money when retrofitting fixtures to dark sky-friendly options. The Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA) also supports initiatives that promote sustainable lighting solutions across the region.
By building strategic partnerships, we can work toward bulk purchasing programs and ensure cost-effective, dark sky-compliant lighting is readily available at local home improvement stores. Your voice matters—advocating to Chelan PUD and NEEA can help shift policy, expand access, and create a valley-wide movement toward smarter, environmentally conscious lighting.
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