Alberta Town Becomes Canada's First 'Dark Sky' Community

An IDA International Dark Sky Community is a town, city, municipality, or other legally organized community that is dedicated to the preservation of the night sky. To become a Dark Sky Community, the town must implement and enforce an outdoor lighting ordinance, dark sky education, and citizen support of the dark skies. 

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Bon Accord, the small central Alberta town of about 1,500, is just the 11th town in the world to receive this distinction, and Canada's first. In total there are 47 designated dark sky areas including the 11 communities, 26 parks, nine reserves, and one sanctuary. Mayor Randolph Boyd has said that joining this celestial-focused group is a new beginning for the town.

A galactic project

It took a lot of work for Bon Accord to meet the requirements necessary of a Dark Sky community. The town underwent structuring to connect with its residents and include them in the process to decide what they wanted to be. They developed a bylaw that required all outdoor light fixtures to be shielded and limits the amount of light that is emitted. Residents will have eight years to shield all of their lights and change commercial signs from white light to red light. 

Health benefits of a dark sky

Who would have thought that outdoor lighting could be a health problem? Regarding your sleep cycle, it can be. According to Vicky Zinyk, the lack of light in a dark sky community helps keep you asleep longer with a deeper sleep. It is also better for nocturnal animals who need to be in the dark.

The IDA hopes that Bon Accord will inspire other Canadian towns to dim the lights and take a look at the light sky. They set an example that they hope other towns and communities will soon follow.