Southern Oregon’s Outback named world’s largest Dark Sky Sanctuary
A 2.5-million-acre area of southeastern Oregon is officially now the world’s largest Dark Sky Sanctuary.
It has just been certified as an International Dark Sky Sanctuary today by DarkSky International, and is currently the largest to date.
The Sanctuary, referred to as the Oregon Outback, is about half the size of New Jersey.
A Dark Sky Sanctuary is a certification given by the DarkSky International to public or private land that has an exceptional quality of starry nights and a nocturnal environment that is protected for its scientific, natural, or educational value.
To qualify as a Dark Sky Sanctuary, the area must meet strict criteria for sky quality, responsible lighting practices, and provide public outreach.
They provide opportunities for stargazing, astrophotography, and other nighttime activities that benefit from minimal light pollution.
Within the Oregon Outback International Dark Sky Sanctuary are the unincorporated communities of Adel, Plush, Summer Lake, the Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge.
It also houses a portion of the Fremont-Winema National Forest.
A designation as a large-scale sanctuary helps to protect much of the dark sky zone, to keep any additional dark sky recreation dispersed (as it is now), and to allow a number of communities to economically benefit.
“The Outback’s dark skies will long serve as a starry refuge to people and wildlife alike,” said DarkSky Delegate Dawn Nilson.
“Adherence to the Lighting Management Plan (LMP) will allow this large expanse of land to serve as a demonstration site of sustainable lighting principles.”
It is sparsely populated, very remote, and primarily comprised of public lands.
It’s a high desert area with sage scrub along with topography comprising narrow faulted mountain chains and valleys and basins.
It is habitat for varied wildlife, including American pronghorn, bighorn sheep, sage grouse, white-tailed jack rabbit, and migratory birds.
The region is also culturally significant as a home to a 13,000-year-old human occupation site.
Within its boundaries are hot springs, wild horses, private rangelands, ranches, and cattle.
The International Dark Sky Places Program was founded in 2001, to e protected areas around the world to preserve and protect dark sites
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