In a world of streetlights and smog, it’s easy to forget that right above us there’s actually a blanket of stars and far-off planets. Luckily, there are a handful of places that you can go for a reminder – because believe it or not, with a little clarity, the celestial landscape should be visible to the naked eye. From the grasslands to Jasper and most recently the world’s very FIRST certified “transboundary” Dark Sky Preserve, Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park, it’s important that we take care of these areas – after all, who actually enjoys FOMO?
If you’re among the many who was eager to catch last week’s Perseid meteor shower peak but didn’t see a dang thing, then we’re sure that you’ve noticed that those living in big city’s miss a whole lot of the action.
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For this reason, it’s definitely worth noting that after a ton of hard work, Waterton, Alberta was actually able to minimize its light pollution just enough to become one-half of the planet’s first and ONLY cross-border park (stretching from Alberta to Montana) to be named an avid sky gazer must-visit.
Just a few of the improvements that they had to make to earn a coveted spot among Canada’s 12 other preserves? Well, in addition to replacing a lot of their old lighting with fancy new view-friendly LED fixtures, they also supplied all residents with new outdoor bulbs approved by the government. Talk about commitment!
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“The dark skies in the Waterton–Glacier International Peace Park truly are spectacular. Designation of the Peace Park as the world’s first international transboundary Dark Sky Park shows the world our commitment to protecting the environment while offering opportunities for visitors to connect with nature, even at night,” said President & Chief Executive Officer of Parks Canada, Ron Hallman in a release.
Of course, the benefits of dark sky preserves don’t stop at “pretty stars,” these places are also ideal for nocturnal animals, are proven to benefit human health and also reduce energy waste – so give yourselves a pat on the back Waterton. You did great and honestly can’t wait to head down there!
Here’s to more crazy space events and just one more spot to enjoy it.
