Save the Night Sky

Upcoming events:

Press Release

NIGHT SKY SESSIONS AT THE NMHPA ANNUAL PRESERVATION CONFERENCE
Gallup May 24-27

It’s NOT too late to register for 3 exciting sessions as this year’s conference. One day conference admission is available. Just call Lazlo at 505 989 3696. Details in conference brochure at www.nmheritage.org

I. ” NEW MEXICO’S NIGHT SKY - A MOST ENDANGERED ASSET ”
Thursday May 25 9:10 to 10:25 A.M. Holiday Inn in Gallup
Learn about New Mexico’s night sky as an endangered place, the current state of light pollution in the southwest and New Mexico, and what we can do about it.
Presenters:
Geoff Goins, Night Sky Adventures, Red River. An private star guide for over 20 years, Geoff travels the state providing star parties and other stellar events. Serves on the Night Sky Program Advisory Board.

Cindy Duriscoe, Sierra Nights Educational Services, Death Valley, CA.

Cindy is a consultant to the National Park Service and many other organizations on outdoor activity and curriculum development for K-12 children.

Dan Duriscoe, Night Sky Team, National Park Service, Death Valley, CA.

Dan is a scientist with the Night Sky Team, which uses high level monitoring equipment to document the spread and abatement of light pollution in parks throughout the U.S.

II. ” ENHANCING NEW MEXICO’S COMMUNITIES THORUGH QUALITY OUTDOOR LIGHTING ”
Thursday May 25 10:45 - 12 noon Holiday Inn, Gallup
If you are interested in starting an effort in your community to curb poorly designed outdoor lighting and get a lighting ordinance passed, this workshop is for you!
Presenters:
Tamara Baer, ASLA, Landscape Architect with NM State Parks, formerly owned her own landscape consulting business. A planner with Santa Fe for several years, she was the primary author of the Santa Fe city lighting ordinance. Serves on the Night Sky Advisory Board.

Richard Kuska, formerly on the Taos Lighting Task Force that successfully got an ordinance adopted in Taos, he is spear-heading current efforts to get the Taos County ordinance passed.

Lee Mesibov, President of the El Valle Astronomers, Embudo area, has been a night sky advocate for decades and has worked on local ordinances. Serves on the Night Sky Program advisory board and conducts star parties twice each month in Northern NM.

III. ” REACH FOR THE STARS ”
Friday May 26 9:10 - 10:25
Angela Richman and Steve Cary, NM State Parks, will present the highlights of this initiative that began in 2004 as a rural, economic initiative. The Parks have been hard at work protecting New Mexico’s night sky and
provides a variety of exciting activities year round to enjoy the night time environment.

Steve Cary is Chief Naturalist for NM State Parks and heads up the initiatve. Angie Richman is a consultant to the Parks and has degrees in Astronomy and Astrophysics and has developed extensive trainings for NM State Parks’ staff and volunteer interpreters.

” FEAST YOUR EYES UNDER GALLUP’S NIGHT SKY ”
Thursday May 25 8:30 pm Gallup
Special evening of star gazing for NMHPA Gallup preservation conference participants. Join star guide Geoff Goins, Night Sky Adventures (Red River), at 8:30 pm at the Gallup city soccer field. $5 donation will go to
night sky preservation efforts in New Mexico. Weather permitting. Directions provided at the conference; Please bring warm clothes in the event of cool weather.

” LIGHT POLLUTION ABATEMENT WORKSHOP ”
Thursday June 8 in Deming - 7 pm to 8:30 pm
Deming-Mimbres Valley Learning Center, Room 119
In association with New Mexico State Parks - Learn about the benefits of using exterior lighting responsibly - energy cost savings, increased safety and security, improved sense of community, and preservation of the
night sky as a unique natural and cultural resource.

” WHAT IS LIGHT POLLUTION AND WHAT CAN WE DO ABOUT IT? ”
Las Vegas, NM, location to be determined
Thursday June 15 beginning at 7 pm

Are the lights brighter and brigther and the stars dimmer and dimmer?

Introductory presentation on the negative effects of light pollution in Las Vegas and New Mexico generally. Open to the public at no charge.

Individuals interested in forming a lighting task force to work on a draft of Las Vegas’ first city ordinance for outdoor lighting, especially encouraged to attend.

!!! Mark your calendars now for September 2007!!!
New Mexico’s first conference of the INTERNATIONAL DARK SKY ASSOCIATION
(Tucson) - September 14-16 2007 in Taos.

IDA’s annual 2-day fall conference is held each year in a different location throughout the North American continent. Join us for IDA’s first conference in New Mexico.

Planned as a southwest regional conference with our neighboring states, one possible theme being considered is “keeping our unique dark places dark…dark sky parks and preserves.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THESE EVENTS AND HOW TO GET INVOLVED IN PLANNING THE IDA 2007 FALL CONFERENCE, contact Lazlo Lazowska, Night Sky Program Director, at 505 989 3696 or