DOOR COUNTY — A Door County astronomy group is warning that Newport State Park could lose its dark sky status if developers and builders don’t work to curb light pollution on the peninsula.
In a full page ad published Aug. 12 in the Door County Pulse, the Door Peninsula Astronomical Society called on builders to pay special attention to lighting on their projects.
Newport State Park has been designated an International Dark Sky Park since 2017, one of just 48 such parks in the world, according to the group.
But the the group writes in the ad, “Sadly, this designation may be lost to light pollution if the collective Door County community keeps making poor outdoor lighting choices. But together we can preserve the Dark Night Sky in Door County. For more information, visit the IDA’s website at www.darksky.org.”
The ad then went on to call on those who do not have properly shielded outdoor lighting to consider making improvements.
“Are you planning new construction of housing or a business? Please ask for Night Sky Friendly Lighting that complies with International Dark Sky Association guidelines,” read the ad.
.
.
.
