Dark Sky Initiative
By Laura Chariton
Please join us April 13-20th for a week of Dark Sky Celebrations, learning, and action for International Dark Sky Week. International Dark Sky Week (IDSW), darksky.org, is a worldwide event that draws attention to light pollution, promotes simple solutions to mitigate the issue, and celebrates the irreplaceable beauty of a natural night.
International Dark Sky Week was started by high school student Jennifer Barlow in 2003 and is now spearheaded by Dark Sky International. In explaining why she started the week, Barlow said, “I want people to be able to see the wonder of the night sky without the effects of light pollution. The universe is our view into our past and our vision into the future. I want to help preserve its wonder.”
When is International Dark Sky Week? IDSW is an annual event occurring in April (Global Astronomy Month), during the week of the new moon when night skies are darkest.
How Can I Celebrate International Dark Sky Week?
● Get together with friends and family and go outside at night. A lot of us don’t take the opportunity to experience the nighttime environment. Go outside, look up and look around. Lots of interesting stuff happens during the night. Looking for some adventure? Plan a trip to the dark side. Or just enjoy our neighborhood.
● Help spread the word about light pollution and the importance of dark skies. This week is a great excuse to talk with friends, family, neighbors, your homeowner’s association, or government representatives about why protecting our night environment is so crucial.
● Become a citizen scientist and collect data about the night sky in your neighborhood for Globe at Night. It’s fun, easy and you’ll be helping scientists across the globe better understand the threat of light pollution to our planet.
● Stopping light pollution isn’t just about seeing the stars. There are other important things at stake, too. Use this week to take the time to learn more about the effect of artificial light at night on human health, the environment, energy waste, crime and safety and our heritage of night skies.
● Join the conversation! Use the hashtag #IDSW on social media to share how you’re celebrating International Dark Sky Week and connect with other people passionate about dark skies. Check out DarkSky on Darksky.org, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
Peak Nesting Season for Birds
Please be mindful when pruning or cutting tree branches during nesting season.
By Laura Chariton
Right now and until late August, nesting birds are in trees, shrubs and on the ground. Hummingbirds, Owls, Falcons, Hawks and Eagles are already nesting starting in January.
Guidelines, recommendations and regulations may be found on the Audubon Society website (//:audubon.org/california/news/guide-bird-friendly-tree-trimming)
in both English and Spanish. Cutting trees, removing grasses and shrubs requires extra care and attention or just to wait out the nesting season. There are Federal and State laws that protect nesting birds.
After recognizing the significant threat to nesting birds posed by the annual spring and summer tree trimming, the Los Angeles Audubon Society created a nifty Guide to Bird-Friendly Tree and Shrub Trimming and Removal. You can download versions in English or Spanish. The guides were written for the L.A. area but a lot of the information applies to just about anywhere.
Thank you for protecting these amazing creatures!
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