Support SB52: Nevada Dark Skies Initiative

Stars in Massacre Rim WSA

Stars swirling over Massacre Rim Wilderness Study Area,
an International Dark Sky Sanctuary. Credit: Brian Beffort

Senate Bill 52, introduced by the Senate Natural Resources Committee and championed by the Offices of the Lieutenant Governor and Outdoor Recreation, addresses dark sky designations for certain sites in this State.

Sierra Club stance: Support 

Please use the following link to submit your support of SB52 at the Nevada Legislature website here (legislators watch this page closely).

If approved, the new state program would complement the Dark Sky designations that are granted by the International Dark Sky Association (IDA). Nevada is already home to two IDA Dark Sky Places; Great Basin National Park is a Dark Sky Park, and the Massacre Rim Wilderness Study Area in far northern Washoe County is an International Dark Sky Sanctuary, one of only 14 in the world.

Bill sponsors say the intent of the proposal is to amplify and celebrate the work of the IDA, to educate the public about the value of conserving Nevada’s uniquely dark skies, and to promote stargazing to boost tourism in rural communities.

Language in SB52 recognizes the wide-ranging value of dark skies, which are prevalent in Nevada, where much of the land in the state is publicly owned:

WHEREAS, Establishing a state-level program for designating dark sky places in Nevada will complement the International Dark Sky Places Program and serve to specifically promote, preserve, protect and enhance Nevada’s dark-sky resources for their intrinsic value and their ecological, astronomical, cultural, and economic importance; and

WHEREAS, The program will also raise awareness among Nevadans about light pollution and encourage them to transition from unshielded to shielded outdoor lighting to preserve and enhance dark skies throughout this State; and

WHEREAS, Designation of dark sky places in Nevada under the program will also attract tourists and other visitors to rural communities near Nevada’s dark sky assets, thereby generating increased economic activity for surrounding communities and their small businesses;…

Talking points in favor of SB52

  • Astro-tourism can be a positive force for the economy, attracting nature enthusiasts from all over. Many people seek out “Dark Sky” areas as places to stargaze and retreat. Examples of other dark sky areas, which benefit from astro-tourism include: Death Valley (CA), Moab (UT) and Marfa (TX) to name a few.
  • Opportunities for education - star parties are often held at dark sky designations. This attracts young people as well as veteran astronomers
  • Opportunity to see amazing objects in the sky, which would not be visible otherwise
  • Throughout time, people have found peace, pleasure, and perspective by looking up at the stars.There are many proven intrinsic benefits of astral-meditation, or taking a “star-bath”, including a feeling of connectedness to the universe, by diminishing the emphasis on the individual self.
  • Light pollution has negative physiological effects on the human body. Darkness at night is our natural state.
  • Light pollution has negative effects on wildlife. It is valuable to preserve darkness at night as part of our wild spaces.
  • Dark skies are a precious natural resource. Nevada has more true dark sky spaces than any other state in the lower 48. These should be protected, valued, and used to the betterment of our citizens.
  • Many people, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds, have never seen the Milky Way or any other wonders of a truly dark sky. Often this is generational.

Additional resources