Muskoka Hosts Dark Skies Conference
THE MUSKOKAN, Sept. 11, 2003

On September 22, experts from around the world will converge on Muskoka to spend three days discussing the importance of preserving our night skies.

The Ecology of the Night symposium will bring together astronomers, ecologists, politicians, academics, indigenous people, theologians, government agencies, lighting engineers and manufacturers to talk about issues surrounding the problem often referred to as "light pollution."

For some years scientists have been studying disturbances to wildlife and plants as a result of the aggressive use of artificial lighting systems, but there are new emerging environmental, economic, biological and cultural reasons to preserve the darkness.

For instance, there is mounting evidence within the medical community that physiological human functions are disrupted by the proliferation of nighttime lighting, particularly in urban centres where, in essence, night no longer exists.

"Darkness is a biological imperative," says Muskoka Heritage Foundation director. Peter Goering, principal organizer of the symposium and a dark sky advocate. "Life on Earth evolved with the rhythms of day and night."

"Many life forms must now adapt to artificial nighttime lighting or perish. As an example, in their natural habitat, many wild birds are active during the day, but in spring and fall they eat and rest during the day and use the stars and the Earth's magnetic fields to migrate at night. They are disoriented by the light when flying over heavily populated areas, often colliding with brightly lit buildings."

Symposium organizers are seeking input from delegates regarding the importance of dark skies and the direct links to astronomy, tourism, wildlife, human health, cultural heritage and energy management.

By sharing information about dark sky issues, pinpointing concerns, identifying gaps in knowledge, and reviewing existing approaches, organizers hope to develop an action plan that will raise the level of public awareness about the benefits of maintaining darkness at night.

In 1999 the Torrance Barrens Conservation and Dark Sky Reserve became the first reserve of its kind in Canada and one of the first in the world. Situated in south Muskoka, this light-pollution-protected reserve is accessible to the large urban population that lives within a two-to-three-hour drive to the south.

The Ecology of the Night symposium will promote Muskoka in particular and northern Ontario and Canada in general as international leaders in dark sky initiatives. During their stay, symposium participants will visit the Torrance Barrens and the Echo Valley Observatory, which is near Huntsville. In the face of increasing development, both of these local attractions rely on the maintenance of dark skies.

A Web site, www.ecologyofthenight.org, has more information about the symposium, which takes place from September 22 to 24 at the Leslie M. Frost Natural Resources Centre in Dorset.