Where to find a dark sky preserve in Canada
Why too much light harms wildlife
And it's important to guard wildlife from over-illumination. Excess man-made light affects all branches of nature, from aquatic life to mammals, and from insects to vegetation.
Extended artificial "daylight" can throw off migratory patterns, feeding habits, seasonal dormancy and growth cycles. Sky glow, and excess illumination from humans, fools wildlife into believing the sun is still out; by reducing or eliminating that false daylight, wildlife can follow its normal patterns and thrive.
How to make the most of your trip to a dark sky preserve
If you're planning a visit to a dark sky preserve, Dick has several recommendations:
-Respect your environment and your fellow stargazers -- keep things dark, try to behave quietly and never litter.
-Bring a flashlight to navigate in the dark, and use a red/LED bulb or place your flashlight in a paper bag to reduce the light scattered by its beam; and aim the beam at the ground.
-Take a blanket to sit on, binoculars or a telescope to get a closer look at the heavens, and wear sensible shoes (for safely trekking around in nature at night.)
-Visit in spring or fall, when the nighttime hours are longer and the weather is most accommodating.
Where to find Canadian dark sky preserves
Whether you're looking for a unique family outing or a romantic night under the stars with a special someone, here are six DSPs to check out:
Fraser Valley Dark Sky Preserve
Nestled in McDonald Park in Abbotsford, B.C., mountains shield the preserve from neighbouring sky glow.
Beaver Hills Dark Sky Preserve
Just an hour east of Edmonton, Beaver Hills DSP sits on a 293 square km area of land.
Cypress Hills Dark Sky Preserve
Sitting on the border between Alberta and Saskatchewan, halfway between Calgary and Regina, the 39,600 hectare preserve hosts a Summer Star Party every August.
Point Pelee National Park & Dark Sky Preserve
Fifty km southeast of Windsor, Ont., Point Pelee is a world-renowned birding area and the first national park in the country to adopt dark-sky policies.
Torrance Barrens Dark Sky Preserve
Located in Muskoka, Ont., about a two-hour drive north of Toronto, and spanning about 1,905 hectares, the preserve boasts large open areas and smooth granite rock from which to stargaze.
Kejimkujik National Park Dark Sky Preserve
Nova Scotia's first dark sky preserve features heritage programs teaching Mi’kmaq sky lore.
More Dark Sky areas are being designated every year. For the full list, visit the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada.
Find more great Canadian experiences in our Travel and Hobbies section.
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