Oregon's dark sky names are increasing.
According to Darksky International, Sisters was appointed the second international Dark-Sky community of the state, an award from which the city hopes that it will give local astrotourism a boost.
The city in the center of Oregon is located on the eastern edge of the Cascade Mountains and is known for its charming city center and the nearby access to natural attractions such as Black Butte, Skylight Cave and McKenzie Pass. According to the latest census data, the city has 3,064 inhabitants.
Now it will also be known as a contact point for star observations.
The mayor of Sisters, Michael Preed, said the city had worked hard to become Oregon's first Dark-Sky community, but lost to the small town of Antelope, which received the award in December.
“We will be proud to be second,” said Preed in a press release. “The promotion of our local environment by eliminating light pollution is something that helps all of humanity, and we are happy about the opportunities in astrotourism.”
The new title in Sisters is only the youngest in a series of Oregon awards from Darksky International, an organization that, according to its own statements, is devoted to the protection of the nightly environment and the preservation of a dark sky by environmentally friendly external lighting.
In addition to the two Dark Sky Communities, there are now three Dark Sky Parks (Cottonwood Canyon, the Oregon Caves and Prineville Reservoir State Park), a Dark Sky Place in the SunriVer Nature Center & Observatory, and the extensive Oregon Outback Dark Sky Sanctuary is expected to be expanded in the near future.
The honors are mostly the work of the Oregon Dark Sky Network, an ad hoc group of state, local and federal officials, private individuals, business owners and tourism agencies.
“The city of Sisters has now determined a joint standard for responsible external lighting in Oregon,” said Bill Kowalik, chairman of Darksky Oregon, the local branch of Darksky International, in a press release. “It is a standard that benefits residents, visitors and the surrounding nature. This international certification brings recognition for the sisters known to visitors for culture and art, and now also worldwide for the environmental protection of the dark sky. ”
-Jamie Hale reports on travel and nature and is co-moderator of the Peak Northwest podcast. Reach it at 503-294-4077, jhale@oregonian.com or @Halejamesb.
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