Borrego Dark Sky Coalition
Protecting Our Night Skies
What Do You Want to Know?
- Where are the best stargazing spots in Borrego?
- What can you see in the Borrego sky?
- What dark sky programs & events are coming up?
- Why was Borrego Dark Sky Coalition formed?
- Where are the certified Dark Sky places in Southern California?
- Why do we want to keep the skies dark?
- What are the recommended lighting guidelines to keep the skies dark?
- What can I do with a neighbor that has bright lights?
Borrego Springs is an International Dark Sky Community!
Borrego Springs is one of only a handful of certified International Dark Sky Communities in the world. In 2009, Borrego became the first certified International Dark Sky Community in California and second in the world (after Flagstaff, Arizona). While not perfectly dark, Borrego skies offer views of the heavens that are not visible to 22 million people living along the urbanized coast of Southern California. The Borrego Dark Sky Coalition works tirelessly to protect our region’s pristine nighttime environment, educating residents and visitors about responsible lighting and promoting policies that safeguard the stars for future generations.
Other towns and parks in Southern California have since been certified as International Dark Sky places:
- Death Valley national Park became a certified International Dark Sky Park in 2013.
- Joshua Tree National Park became a certified International Dark Sky Park in 2017.
- Anza-Borrego Desert State Park became a certified International Dark Sky Park in 2018.
- Julian became an International Dark Sky Community in 2021.
To see where other International Dark Sky places are located, click the button below and visit the Dark Sky International website.
Why Do We Want to Keep the Skies Dark?
A growing body of evidence shows the importance of preserving the skies darkness. Light can be a pollutant, as excessive brightness can cause visual discomfort, and can affect human circadian rhythms and health as well as wildlife behavior and natural processes. Light pollution is a side effect of industrial civilization, from advertising, offices, factories, streetlights, and man launched satellites. Proper lighting helps make an area safer, saves money, and protect the night sky.
About the Borrego Springs Dark Sky Coalition
The International Dark Sky Places Program promotes preservation and protection of night skies across the globe. It aims to protect locations of exceptional nighttime qualities for future generations. It inspires responsible lighting policies and public education to stimulate respect for the night sky.
The Borrego Springs Dark Sky Coalition was formed in 2007, consisting of Borrego Springs residents who were interested in applying for Dark Sky Certification from the International Dark Sky Association. The application process was comprehensive — a lighting survey, educational and outreach programs, some changes to the lighting and proof of governmental regulations to ensure continuing low light levels. This 90-page document was approved in 2009. You can find a copy on our Publications webpage.
Borrego Dark Sky Coalition members:
Betsy Knaak (chair), Ron Bissinger, Alan Creutz, Rebecca Falk, Isabelle & Paul Favreau, Dave Hobbs, Dorothy Hogan, Cynthia Jeffries, Nathalie Larive, Alina Levy, Mike McElhatton, Michael McKeag, Cristin McVey, Sally Theriault, Sandy Thomsen, Mary Watkins.
The Coalition is facilitated by the Anza-Borrego Desert Natural History Association (ABDNHA).
About Dark Sky International
Dark Sky International restores the nighttime environment and protects communities from the harmful effects of light pollution through outreach, advocacy, and conservation. Headquartered in Tucson, Arizona with a branch office in Washington, DC and satellite offices in Hever, Belgium and Turramurra, Australia, DarkSky International has 78 chapters in 24 countries on 6 continents.
ABDNHA’s Leadership in Dark Sky Preservation
The Anza-Borrego Desert Natural History Association (ABDNHA) was a founding partner of the Borrego Dark Sky Coalition, an organization dedicated to preserving the region’s exceptional night skies. Through the coalition’s efforts, Borrego Springs earned the designation of an “International Dark Sky Community,” the first in California and only the second in the world at the time. In addition to advocacy, the coalition worked closely with the community to develop lighting guidelines that reduce light pollution and protect the beauty of the night sky for future generations.