It’s agreed – dark skies are better for everyone. That was the consensus at the ‘Ecology of the Night’ symposium, held recently at the Leslie Frost Centre in Dorset. Taking place Sept. 22 to Sept. 24^th, it was attended by an impressive line-up of experts -- astronomers, ecologists, politicians, academics, indigenous peoples, theologians, government agencies and lighting manufacturers -- from all over North America, as well as from Europe. Their discussions focused on the biological, cultural, historical and spiritual issues as they relate to night skies and light pollution.

  “There is mounting scientific evidence that physiological human functions are being disrupted by the proliferation of lighting, particularly in urban centres, where night no longer exists,” says Muskoka Heritage Foundation Director Peter Goering, dark-sky advocate and principal organizer of the symposium.

  Astronomer, author, and Order of Canada recipient, Terence Dickinson, spoke about astronomy today and yesterday, and the loss of the night sky in southern Ontario. He pointed out that the recent blackout in eastern North America gave many city dwellers a rare view of the heavens, something that was common as recently as when he was growing up in Toronto.

  Jenik Hollan, scientist and astronomy professor from Brno, Czechoslovakia, spoke on Dark Sky Protocol in the Czech Republic, describing how his entire country went ‘dark sky’ last fall.

  Natives Henry Licker and Tom Hill discussed the historical and cultural importance of dark skies and the night, sharing some Seneca nation legends.

  Participants were challenged by Monte Hummel, World Wildlife Fund of Canada President and Order of Canada recipient, to not only study but to actively confront the loss of our night skies.

  Current global lighting regulations were considered, with lighting companies displaying some practical light pollution solutions. Symposium participants also experienced light-free skies during night tours to nearby Echo Valley Observatory, Lake St. Nora and the Torrance Barrens Dark Sky Reserve.

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

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

  As Chad Moore of the U.S. National Park Services mentioned, “dark skies are for more than just astronomers. Anyone that views the heavens under dark skies is inspired. The benefits are for everyone.”

For more information contact the Muskoka Heritage Foundation at 705.645.7393, or the website at  www.muskokaheritage.org. A website, www.ecologyofthenight.ca, has been established to help disseminate information about the symposium and publish outcomes.