Parks Canada’s mandate is to protect and present nationally significant examples of Canada’s natural and cultural heritage, and to foster public understanding, appreciation and enjoyment in ways that ensure their ecological and commemorative integrity for present and future generations. However, a scan of national parks did not find any that have night sky values in their objective statements, and only a few national historic sites, events or persons that link in some way to the night sky, e.g. through astronomy and solar time-keeping in the modern era. Nevertheless, the concern over light pollution has a toehold in Parks Canada.

Air issues surveys in 1998 and 2001 show that light pollution is of concern in a couple of parks. Several parks have added statements about night vision, light pollution and outdoor lighting standards into their management documents. The awareness of light pollution generated by the planning of this Symposium triggered the recognition of reduced stray lighting as a potential contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and fostered the recognition on its web site of night sky enjoyment by park visitors. Proceedings will further help to proselytize the value of preserving dark skies for scientific, ecological, cultural and aesthetic purposes. The prospects for dark are bright.

David Welch, Ph.D.

David holds a Ph.D in Physical Geography from the University of Western Ontario, was a professor at the University of Winnipeg, has extensive field experience in the Arctic, and has twice been a Visiting Scientist at Australian research centers. Until last year, David was the Physical Sciences Advisor for Parks Canada, providing geological and geomorphological advice, introducing geographic information systems into the work place, advising on ecological monitoring, and assessing climate change and air quality issues that affect Canadian protected areas. He is now the Head of Environmental Quality for Parks Canada, coordinating the Agency’s Environmental Management System and providing advice and developing guidelines on soil, water and air quality issues. He remains Parks Canada’s principal on air issues.