Browns Canyon National Monument has garnered widespread attention following DarkSky International’s designation of the Monument as a Dark Sky Park.
Regional radio – Heart of the Rockies Radio stations The Peak, Hippie Radio, The Valley and Eagle Country – were the first to break the news, followed swiftly by local newspapers – The Mountain Mail and The Chaffee County Times.
Dan R, news director with Heart of the Rockies Radio, recognized Friends of Browns Canyon’s lead effort in the designation, which “included night sky events, fundraisers, concerts and photography outings.”
Chaffee County Times editor Hannah Harn quoted Michael Kunkel, Friends of Browns Canyon founder and president: “It took two years and … hundreds of volunteer hours” for us to achieve the Dark Sky Park certification. “Kunkel expressed his gratitude for the many agencies that supported FOBC’s pursuit of the Dark Sky certification, including the BLM, Forest Service, CPW and AHRA,” Harn wrote.
The Mountain Mail also ran a version of Harn’s article.
Other Colorado media outlets that reported the achievement include Colorado Public Radio, the Colorado Springs Gazette and Out There Colorado.
Reporting for Colorado Public Radio, Shanna Lewis quoted Bureau of Land Management National Monument Manager Kalem Lenard, who recognized Friends of Browns Canyon’s work as “instrumental in getting the International Dark Sky Park certification and recognition.” They “should really be applauded for their tireless efforts,” he said.
Seth Boster reported the news for The Colorado Springs Gazette, noting that Browns Canyon National Monument is now the 12th Dark Sky Park in Colorado, “joining the likes of Great Sand Dunes and Black Canyon of the Gunnison national parks and Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument.”
Out There Colorado posted a video to its vlog, featuring Spencer McKee and Seth Boster, who noted, “That recognition comes with some expectations for education on the importance of dark skies and the harms of light pollution.”
Smithsonian magazine provided national coverage of the news, with Sarah Kuta reporting that the National Monument’s location – between 7,300 and 10,000 feet above sea level and 100 miles from Colorado Springs, the nearest large city – “coupled with the state’s dry climate, made Browns Canyon ‘naturally suited’ for night sky viewing.”
Photo by Joe and Kimmie Randall showing the Arkansas River in Browns Canyon National Monument under the Milky Way.
