Lake County’s Dark Skies are legendary. To preserve our ability to see a spectacular night sky, Friends of Taylor, with collaboration from many community stakeholders, is seeking Dark Sky Certification from the International Dark Sky Association (IDA)

The principal goals of our Dark Sky initiative are:

1. To foster an astronomy tourism industry for Lake County. The SF Bay Area, Sacramento and Santa Rosa regions have limited star visibility because of extensive lighting.
2. To preserve our wonderful Lake County dark skies for future generations of students.

What you can do:

1. Join our effort by liking the Facebook page – Dark Skies – Lake County, CA

2. Learn about the world-wide effort to maintain and improve the planet’s dark skies by visiting the International Dark-Sky Association website

3. Volunteer for various efforts involving Dark Sky Certification. For more information on volunteering, you can contact us at Admin@friendsoftaylor.org, leave a voice message at 707-262-4121 or leave a message on the Dark Skies – Lake County CA Facebook page.

4. Write a letter of support to your Lake County Supervisor, pointing out the increased tourism that would result from having a Dark Sky Community Certification by the International Dark Sky Association.

5. Help document the dark skies by making observations, around the time of the new moon, using the procedures on the Globe At Night website

6. Above all, go outside and enjoy our beautiful Lake County night sky.

On November 20, 2018 Jim Steele, County 3rd District Supervisor presented a multi-faceted proclamation to the Lake County Board of Supervisors endorsing Dark Sky Certification with supporting letters from:  1) Lake County Land Trust 2) Redbud Audobon Society of Lake County  3) Cobb Area Council.  

     — An unusually large group (about 25)  private citizens were present.

     — Proclamation was adopted unanimously by the 6 county supervisors.

    —  Jim’s Proclamation attached.  This is not a ordinance, but makes it official policy to adopt appropriate ordinances and to promote astro-tourism as an official policy objective of the County.

    — Reported in local newspaper Lake County Record Bee (10,000 circulation — population of Lake County is ~65000).

About the International Dark Sky Association

The International Dark Sky Association is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization dedicated to preserve and protect the nighttime environment and our heritage of dark skies.
Headquartered in Tucson, AZ with a branch office in Washington, DC and satellite offices in Hever, Belgium and Turramurra, Australia, the IDA has membership in 70 countries.