This page has been developed by the Muskoka Heritage Foundation on behalf of the ”Ecology of the Night“ Symposium participants and sponsors, held at the Leslie M. Frost Centre, September 22-24, 2003.

“A group of volunteers and professionals spent eighteen months preparing for the international symposium where the ‘value of the night’ was discussed—including aspects of the natural/biological world, the human health and physiological world, the cultural/spiritual/ historical world, and the regulatory framework.

Through the symposium, we hope to further knowledge and develop resolutions to deal with aggressive lighting systems. We will be addressing many matters, from the identification of light pollution as a disturbance to the magic of the night to issues dealing with biological disruptions and cultural dislocations.

We acknowledge and thank the generous sponsors who have provided the necessary
funding that has allowed us to invite highly qualified professionals to provide keynote addresses and to share expert opinions.”

Peter L.E.Goering
Symposium Organizing Committee
Past Director, Muskoka Heritage Foundation

Information from the Symposium

Overview of the Symposium – Monte Hummel, O.C.

 Amphibians and Light Pollution – Bryant Buchanan and Sharon Wise
a presentation on amphibians and light pollution

 IDA Update – David Crawford
an overview of world–wide developments.

 Biological World meets the Cultural World - Henry Lickers and Tom Hill
value of the night from biological and cultural perspectives.

 Scientific World meets the Cultural World – Terence Dickinson, O.C.
astronomy today and historically.

 The Importance of the Night Sky to the Natural and Biological Worlds – Tony Bidwell, Michael Mesure and David Welch

The Importance of the Night Sky to the Cultural, Spiritual, and Historical Worlds – Rev. Johanne Hills, Henry Lickers, and Chad Moore

 Information Wrap-up – Ron Reid

How Should Light Pollution Be Controlled? – Jenik Hollan
development in Czech Republic

 The Importance of the Night Sky to Human Health and Physiological Worlds – Joan Roberts and Stephen Lockley

Measuring, regulating and enforcing controls to counteract the negative effects of light pollution – Robert Dick, Brian Whitehead, Tony Rutenberg, and Dorothy Shaver

Torrance Barrens Dark Sky Reserve