Browns Canyon National Monument has been certified as a Dark Sky Park by DarkSky International, following more than two years of citizen science and advocacy work led by Friends of Browns Canyon to demonstrate that the Monument meets the stringent requirements established by DarkSky international. Browns Canyon National Monument becomes Colorado’s 18th certified International Dark Sky Place, and its 12th International Dark Sky Park.
“Browns Canyon National Monument is a haven for dark skies in Central Colorado, a region that continues to push for stronger protections of the precious natural resource of the night sky,” said DarkSky International Program Associate Michael Rymer.
“Browns Canyon’s example will no doubt be a substantial one in influencing communities surrounding the national monument and beyond to practice responsible outdoor lighting to better impact the night-time environment of the site,” Rymer continued. “Furthermore, the staff’s ingenuity in bringing the monument’s lighting into full compliance is something worthy of praise and promotion.”
Browns Canyon has many outstanding characteristics, including a scenic river corridor, unique wilderness-quality lands and numerous recreational opportunities. It is an area rich in history and is highly valued by First Nations people for its cultural significance. It was designated as a national monument on Feb. 19, 2015, by President Barack Obama. Currently, the land is jointly managed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management. River-based recreation is managed by Colorado Parks and Wildlife through the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area.
Browns Canyon National Monument encompasses a section of the Arkansas River and includes nearly 22,000 acres of pristine public lands. Just a short drive from major urban centers, the Monument is in Chaffee County at the southern end of the Mosquito Range (known locally as the Arkansas Hills). The area is well-known for spectacular daytime recreational opportunities. As an International Dark Sky Park, its special night-sky viewing opportunities are now recognized.
“We’re thrilled for Browns Canyon to receive the night-sky designation as it is in direct alignment with our management goal to protect the Monument’s resources,” said Jim Pitts, deputy forest supervisor of the Pike and San Isabel National Forests and Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands. “This is a great opportunity to highlight a shared landscape between the Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management, and we welcome the public to enjoy this unique landscape that is part of our shared public lands.”
The effort to seek DarkSky certification was organized by Friends of Browns Canyon, which hosted dark-sky education events, including fundraisers, concerts and photography outings. They also conducted the light meter readings and received a state-funded grant that provided technical assistance in developing the application.
“Friends of Browns Canyon were instrumental in getting the International Dark Sky Park certification and recognition, and should really be applauded for their tireless efforts,” said Browns Canyon National Monument Manager Kalem Lenard with the BLM. “All of the managing partners are really excited to celebrate the dark-sky resource, further recognizing Browns Canyon as a special place in the heart of Colorado.”
Since the location is naturally suited for night sky viewing, the work required to meet standards for DarkSky certification was minimal. “Because we have a lot of camping in the area, we had to retrofit some of our lighting near Browns Canyon National Monument to make sure we met certification standards,” said Tom Waters, Park Manager for the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area. “With a bit of ingenuity from our staff, and some exceptional coordination with our local and federal partners, we have been able to provide this exciting opportunity to our community and visitors.”
Friends of Browns Canyon is also leading the effort to secure training for Bureau of Land Management and Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area staff to ensure that they can deliver night-sky programming and educate visitors on the expanded recreation options being offered in the area.
Founded in 2001, the International Dark Sky Places Program is a voluntary, non-regulatory program encouraging communities, parks and protected areas worldwide to preserve and protect dark sites through effective lighting policies, environmentally responsible outdoor lighting and public education.
When used indiscriminately, artificial light can disrupt ecosystems, impact human health, waste money and energy, contribute to climate change, and block our view of and connection to the universe. Browns Canyon National Monument now joins more than 220 places that have demonstrated robust community support for dark-sky advocacy and strive to protect the night from light pollution. Learn more by visiting https://darksky.org/what-we-do/international-dark-sky-places/.
DarkSky International’s mission is to preserve and protect the nighttime environment and our heritage of dark skies through environmentally responsible outdoor lighting. Learn more at darksky.org.
Photo of the Arkansas River and the Milky Way in Browns Canyon National Monument by Lars Leber.
