NIGHT SKY AND DARK ENVIRONMENTS: BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES FOR ARTIFICIAL LIGHT AT NIGHT ON BLM-MANAGED LANDS TECHNICAL NOTE 457 5 2. Night Sky and Darkness Values Until about 200 years ago, outdoor electrified lighting was essentially nonexistent on a large scale. Human societies developed in very close connection to the night sky and darkness itself, and even well into the 20th century, most humans routinely experienced dark night skies. Viewing the pristinely dark night sky can be a beautiful and emotionally powerful experience (Henderson 2010). While dark night skies and dark environments are important natural resources valued for their aesthetic (scenic) and spiritual qualities, they are also essential to the proper functioning of ecological systems. Life on Earth is adapted to natural cycles of light and darkness, and many plants and animals depend on these cycles for optimal health and even survival (Gaston et al. 2013). The night sky and darkness are an important element of the natural world and our humanity. As a society, we are only beginning to comprehend the importance of dark night skies and environments. Research is mounting that documents the value dark skies have on topics relevant to public land management, such as culture, heritage, art and aesthetics, history, recreation, tourism, economics, ecological and biological systems, and wildlife (Gallaway 2010; Stone 2018). Taylor Stone illuminates the importance of describing various night sky values: “…by articulating what values we seek to achieve and incorporating them into design requirements and processes, we can help to create nighttime lighting infrastructure that is socially and environmentally acceptable” (Stone 2018). People experiencing the night sky.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NTkzMzk=