Dark Sky Cooperative
Quarterly CONNECTIONS
About the Program
The Colorado Plateau’s night skies are an educational, cultural, recreational, and economic treasure. Yet, naturally dark skies are disappearing at unprecedented rates globally (Kyba, C.C.M., et al. 2023). In this series of live interactive meetings, we will focus on ways to help minimize light pollution and support the preservation of this important natural resource. Hear from experts and engage with peers on a range of audience-directed topics. There are many pathways to participate in the preservation of night skies: through educational outreach, community-based planning, scientific inquiry, cultural celebration, artistic creation, and more. Join us in this effort to preserve the night skies of the Colorado Plateau and beyond.
Kyba, C.C.M., et al. 2023. Citizen scientists report global rapid reductions in the visibility of stars from 2011 to 2022. Science, Vol 379, Issue 6629, pp. 265-268.
Program Schedule
| Session | Topic | Dates | Registration Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13 |
Preparing for International Dark Sky Week: Community Engagement and Certification
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Mar 18, 2026 1:00 - 2:30pm (MST) |
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| 12 | Professional Support for Dark Sky Communities Part 2: Who can benefit and how In this session, we will hear from Dr. John Barentine, a professional astronomer, dark sky consultant, and world-renowned expert in dark sky conservation, share his unique perspective after years of working in the industry, supporting communities, parks, and businesses achieve their goals to protect the night in economic and sustainable ways. Whether you are in a “gateway community” or not, learn ways astrotourism can be monetized when there is access to naturally dark skies.
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Dec 3, 2025 12:00- 1:30pm (MST) Note earlier start time |
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| 11 | Professional Support for Dark Sky Communities Part 1: Finding common ground, examples from Colorado and Oregon
The focus of this session will be on the process of gaining community support, including that of local decision-makers and elected officials, to find common ground regarding the protection and maintenance of dark night skies. Connecting a purpose with the community’s vision, collecting data and using language that is appropriate and meaningful, developing lighting codes that can be followed, and designing activities that improve the public’s awareness of the types of outdoor lighting in their environment are all important steps.
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Sep 3, 2025 12:00- 1:30pm (MDT) Note earlier start time |
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| 10 | Dark Night Skies for Mental Health and Well-being As is true for most species, humans evolved alongside and thus have an intimate connection with the day-night cycle of our rotating Earth. The darkness that comes with night has, for centuries, provided a natural cue for humans to slow down and rest, and the opportunity to reflect or quiet the mind. In this session, we will discuss the impact dark night skies can have on mental health and well-being, and ways lighting can be managed to accommodate individuals with older eyes or impaired vision.
*This event is eligible for continuing education credit through the Utah Chapter of the American Planning Association.  |
Jun 4, 2025 1:00- 2:30pm (MDT) |
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| 9 | Balancing Outdoor Lighting for Public Safety & Night Sky Protection
In this session, we will be discussing how to integrate public safety concerns with responsible outdoor lighting design to ensure safer, healthier, and more sustainable communities. How much light is actually needed for a particular space or activity? Art Hushen, founder of the National Institute of Crime Prevention (NICP, Inc.), and veteran law enforcement officer of 30 years, will describe how Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) principles and strategies can be used to ensure communities enjoy safe, attractive spaces at night. Dr. Bryan Boulanger, the Endowed Chair for the Kokosing Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Ohio Northern University, will provide insights on some innovative tools and a practical approach to creating lightscapes that are compatible with night sky protection.
*This event is eligible for continuing education credit through the Utah Chapter of the American Planning Association. |
Mar 5, 2025 1:00- 2:00pm (MST) |
Watch the Recording Hushen Presentation Boulanger Presentation |
| 8 | Cultural Connections with the Night Sky People connect with the night sky in many ways - in this session we will discuss how our experiences and culture shape our relationship, our values, and perspectives towards dark night skies.
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Dec 4, 2024 1:00-2:00pm (MST) |
Watch the Recording Resources & Books |
| 7 | Managing a Shared Resource: Working with our Federal Partners
In this session, we will hear perspectives from our federal partners, the NPS, BLM, and USFS, the certified land assets from which dark sky visitorship and tourism flow, including a discussion about the partnerships between public land entities, gateway communities, and nearby tribal nations can each benefit when parks and communities are dark sky certified.
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Sep 4, 2024 1:00-2:00pm (MDT) |
Watch the Recording |
| 6 | Outdoor Lighting Part 2: Policies and Implementation
Get first-hand experiences and perspectives from community leaders, planners, and business owners on the process of developing effective outdoor lighting policies, funding opportunities, and implementation of a lighting retrofit project. What are the key ingredients for implementation success?
*This event is eligible for continuing education credit through the Utah and Nevada Chapters of the American Planning Association.  |
Jun 5, 2024 1:00-2:00pm (MDT) |
Watch the Recording Q&A |
| 5 | Outdoor Lighting Part 1: Advancements in Technology, Planning and Design
In this session, we will hear from three outdoor lighting experts on the recent advancements in outdoor lighting technology, planning, and design. We will learn more about the lighting industry, including updates to several outdoor lighting standards and associated lighting zone definitions. Plus hear about a few current outdoor lighting projects and the ways communities are benefitting from improved outdoor lighting.
*This event is eligible for continuing education credit through the Utah Chapter of the American Planning Association. |
Mar 6, 2024 1:00-2:00pm (MST) |
Watch the Recording Q&A |
| 4 | The Opportunity: Astrotourism In this session, we will focus on the research behind the exceptional profitability of astro-tourism in gateway communities that can support a competitive and sustainable rural economy. Included will be examples of local astrotourism development projects and benefits when connecting local to statewide/regional tourism opportunities.
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Dec 6, 2023 1:00-2:00pm (MST) |
Watch the Recording Group Introduction |
| 3 | Education and Outreach/Advocacy In this session we will discuss how to promote partnerships and community-engaged learning around dark skies in gateway towns and rural communities. Hear from Kate Magargal, Assistant Professor in the Univerisity of Utah's Dark Sky Minor program, and CPDSC Quarterly Connections Planning Team member, about the research and community engagement she conducts with her students in Utah's rural communities to inspire interest and support of dark skies. Samuel Singer, Founder and Executive Director of Wyoming Stargazing, will share his experience working with the Town of Jackson and Teton County in the successful adoption of night-friendly outdoor lighting ordinances and extensive community outreach programs.
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Sep 6, 2023 1:00-2:00pm (MDT) |
Watch the Recording Group Introduction |
| 2 | Economic Development Opportunities In this session, we will focus on the ways in which dark skies can help sustain healthy, outdoor-oriented lifestyles and further the economic stability of the individuals, families, and communities throughout the region. Hear from guest speaker, Emily Wilkins, Research Social Scientist with the USGS, Fort Collins Science Center, on research conducted with Jordan Smith, Director of the Institute of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism at Utah State University, and others, and recent results from their state-wide study on the economic impacts of astro-tourism and night skies in Utah, post-COVID-19 pandemic.
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Jun 7, 2023 1:00-2:00pm (MDT) |
Watch the Recording Group Introduction |
| 1 | Protecting the Night Sky April 5th will be the first of four Colorado Plateau Dark Sky Cooperative Quarterly Connections. In this kick-off session, we will focus on who we are, what we do, and why it matters in the protection of natural night skies. We will start with an update on the Colorado Plateau Dark Sky Cooperative followed by a brief brainstorming session to gather stakeholders' input on current needs, concerns, and topics to prioritize what should be addressed in later sessions. Hear from invited guest, Ruskin Hartley, Executive Director of the International Dark-Sky Association, on the value of this work, how to get involved, and an update on the IDA Dark Sky Places program.
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Apr 5, 2023 1:00-2:00pm (MDT) |
Watch the Recording Group Introduction |
Planning Team
Lisa Stoner
Dark Sky Advocate, Cache Valley Starlight Alliance
Lisa focuses on the outreach, development of educational programs, building partnerships, and providing technical support to elevate the importance of night skies over the western U.S. She received her MSc in Range Ecology from USU focusing on remote-sensing and mapping of plant communities and disturbed landscapes. As a naturalist, clear starry nights provide her with an irreplaceable sense of peace and an opportunity to reflect in a world that is constantly changing.
Email: lisa.stoner@usu.edu
Dr. John Barentine
Principal Consultant, Dark Sky Consulting, LLC
Former Director of Public Policy for the International Dark-Sky Association. John earned a Ph.D. in Astronomy from the University of Texas at Austin, and previously held staff positions at the National Solar Observatory, Apache Point Observatory, and the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. Throughout his career, he has been involved in education and outreach efforts to help increase the public understanding of science. He is a member of the American Astronomical Society and the International Astronomical Union, and is a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society. The asteroid (14505) Barentine is named in his honor. His interests outside of astronomy and light pollution research include history, art and architecture, politics, law and current events.
Dr. Anil Seth
Professor, Physics & Astronomy, University of Utah
Anil researches nearby galaxies and black holes. He became involved in dark skies after moving to Utah in 2011, and was involved in the establishment of the Dark Sky Studies Minor at the University of Utah. He was the creator of an astronomy outreach internship at Bryce Canyon National Park, now in its ninth year, and recently, helped facilitate a new dark sky focused summer internship in Wayne County in collaboration with Capitol Reef NP and the Entrada Institute starting in summer 2023. He serves as an ongoing board member of the Utah Chapter - International Dark-Sky Association. Anil works on protecting dark skies because of the awe and wonder they inspire in him and others.
Gina Pearson
Council Member, New Mexico Dark Sky Chapter
Gina recently retired as a federal public servant, after 35+ years, primarily working for the National Park Service throughout the west. She has years of experience protecting naturally dark night skies with a particular interest in preserving indigenous and other cultural perspectives. Some of her dark sky work includes developing dark sky park application packets for Bryce Canyon National Park and the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument, collaborating with National Park Units across the nation on mitigating light pollution impacts, collaborating with the American Indigenous Tourism Association on night sky education, translating into Spanish the NPS Jr. Ranger Night Explorer booklet, updating the public facing NPS Night Skies website, coordinating the events for the August 21, 2017 total solar eclipse at the BLM Challis Field Office, ID, and serving as the NPS point of contact for the Colorado Plateau Dark Sky Cooperative.
Matthias Schmitt
Astronomy Guide, Stargazing Zion, and Dark Skies Program Coordinator, Cedar Breaks National Monument
Matthias is Head Astronomy Guide at Stargazing Zion, a private stargazing company in Southwest Utah. He is a member of the St. George Astronomy Group, the International Dark-Sky Association, American Astronomical Society, and European Astronomical Society. He received his MSc in Astronomy, from the Swinburne Center for Astrophysics, in Australia. "The night skies are my work and passion. They allow me to connect with generations of mankind and keep me curious about our journey through the Cosmos.”
Dr. Kate Magargal
Assistant Professor, Honors College, University of Utah
Kate has spent much of her life seeking refuge from artificial light at night. Once she learned that people can actually do something about the loss of darkness, she made this work a central part of her career as a scientist, teacher and researcher working with communities in Utah. Having previously done educational outreach and lightscapes science with the National Park Service, Kate helped create, and currently teaches for, the University of Utah's Minor in Dark Sky Studies. In her current role, Kate brings university students and community leaders together to work towards keeping our nights dark. Kate hopes that more people can have access to darkness and gain benefits for mental and physical health, and inspiration.
Dr. Heidi Hoven
Conservation Specialist, Gillmor Sanctuary, Audubon Rockies
Heidi is an avian ecologist and conservation biologist with Audubon Rockies, a regional office of the National Audubon Society, at Gillmor Sanctuary, Great Salt Lake, Utah. She has conducted more than 20 years of research on Great Salt Lake wetland ecology, obtaining a broad understanding of the inter-relationships of habitat conditions and the flora and fauna that thrive in them. She brings this background to help improve and protect habitat for birds of Great Salt Lake. She is a board member of the International Dark Sky Association Utah Chapter, serving as co-chair of the lighting ordinance committee, where she works to reduce light pollution for migratory birds with Great Salt Lake as their destination.