Quarterly Connections is the Dark Sky Cooperative's webinar series on research, policy, and practice in natural night-sky conservation.
Dr. Danielle Adams and Christian Luginbuhl examine Flagstaff’s approach to dark-sky conservation, including its outdoor lighting policies, community advocacy, and 2026 streetlight retrofit. The presentation addresses practical strategies communities can use to reduce light pollution while accommodating growth and public safety.
To propose a webinar topic or speaker, email Troy Allan.
Select a year to view webinar recordings.
Speakers: Agnes Chavez, Founder, STEMarts Lab; Gina Pearson, STEMarts Lab BLM Liaison, AstroTrail Project; Council Member, DarkSky New Mexico
SciArt approaches to dark-sky stewardship through art, science, and technology, including community-based astronomy and place-based learning.
Speaker: Michael Rymer, Communities Program Manager, DarkSky International
Community engagement strategies for International Dark Sky Week and dark-sky certification.
Speaker: Dr. John Barentine, Principal Consultant, Dark Sky Consulting, LLC
Professional support for dark-sky conservation, astrotourism, and community planning.
Speakers: Hilary Lewkowitz, Colorado Tourism Office and Colorado Dark Sky Certification Mentor Program; Katie Payer, Colorado Tourism Office; Dr. Bill Kowalik, DarkSky Oregon; Michael McKeag, DarkSky Oregon
Approaches to building community support, collecting local data, and developing outdoor lighting policies.
Speakers: Dr. Troy Allan, Utah State University; Dr. Kate Magargal, University of Utah; Eunice Noell-Waggoner, Center of Design for an Aging Society
Relationships among natural darkness, mental health, and lighting design for older adults and people with impaired vision.
Speakers: Art Hushen, National Institute of Crime Prevention; Dr. Bryan Boulanger, Ohio Northern University
Outdoor lighting approaches that address public safety and night-sky protection.
Speakers: Ben Rupert, Nevada's Indian Territory; Ravis Henry, National Park Service, Canyon de Chelly National Monument
Cultural and place-based perspectives on relationships with the night sky.
Speakers: Matthias Schmitt, Cedar Breaks National Monument and Stargazing Zion; Jennifer Rovanpera, Bureau of Land Management
Collaboration among federal land managers, gateway communities, and tribal nations on dark-sky stewardship.
Speakers: Dr. Christian Luginbuhl, Flagstaff Dark Sky Coalition and Dark Sky Partners, LLC; Cory Shurtleff, City of Moab; Dr. Alexi Lamm, City of Moab
Local experiences with outdoor lighting policies, funding, and retrofit projects.
Speakers: Ashley Pipkin, National Park Service; Nancy Clanton, Clanton & Associates, Inc.; Rick Utting, Clanton & Associates, Inc. and DarkSky International
Developments in outdoor lighting technology, design standards, and community planning.
Speakers: Rich Csenge and Eric Sims, Stellar Vista Observatory; Elizabeth Woolsey, Park to Park in the Dark and Stargazer Inn; Hilary Sager, Travel Oregon; Dr. David Mitchell, Missouri State University
Research and practice in astrotourism, including community development and regional tourism initiatives.
Speakers: Dr. Kate Magargal, University of Utah; Dr. Samuel Singer, Wyoming Stargazing
Partnerships, community-engaged learning, and dark-sky education in rural and gateway communities.
Speakers: Dr. Jordan W. Smith, Utah State University; Dr. Emily J. Wilkins, U.S. Geological Survey
Research on dark-sky conservation, outdoor recreation, and regional economic development.
Speaker: Ruskin Hartley, International Dark-Sky Association
An introduction to the Dark Sky Cooperative and stakeholder priorities for protecting natural night skies.
