ECOLOGY OF THE NIGHT

The "Reflected Starlight" bulb, commissioned by the "Ecology of the Night" Symposium Organizing Committee, is a universal symbol of worldwide Dark Sky initiatives. Stars reflecting on a darkened light bulb provide a subtle appeal to every person to use artificial outdoor lighting responsibly. This practice is an effective energy saving measure and also helps to maintain the benefits of the night for all living organisms on Earth. The graphic design is a creation of The Richmond Studio, Toronto.

Ecology of the Night Symposium Goes Ahead

After nearly 18 months of planning, both in Muskoka and in other parts of North America, the Symposium secretariat is firming up the leading participants, pogram, venue and activities for 2 ½ days of discussion at the Frost Centre, September 22-24, 2003.

The "Ecology of the Night" symposium will bring together astronomers, ecologists, politicians, academics, indigenous peoples, theologians, government agencies, lighting engineers and manufacturers to talk about issues surrounding the problem often referred to as "light pollution."

For some years, scientists have been studying disturbances to wildlife and plants as a result of the aggressive use of artificial lighting. However, there are new emerging environmental, economic, biological, and cultural reasons to preserve the darkness. For instance, there is mounting evidence within the medical community that physiological human functions are disrupted by the proliferation of nighttime lighting, particularly in urban centres where, in essence, night no longer exists.

Symposium organizers are seeking input from delegates regarding the importance of dark skies and the direct links to astronomy, tourism, wildlife, human health, cultural heritage and energy management.

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

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

The "Ecology of the Night" Symposium will promote Muskoka, Halliburton, Northern Ontario and Canada as international leaders in dark-sky initiatives. During their stay, symposium participants will visit the Torrance Barrens, west of the Town of Gravenhurst, and the Echo Valley Observatory, which lies south of the town of Huntsville. In the face of increasing development, both of these local attractions rely on the maintenance of dark skies.

A website, www.ecologyofthenight.org has been established to help disseminate information about the upcoming symposium.

To date, a number of prominent agencies and organizations have placed their full support behind the project. The list includes Parks Canada, FedNor, World Wildlife Fund Canada, Muskoka Heritage Foundation, the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne, The Woodland Cultural Centre, SkyNews Magazine, The Nature Conservancy of Canada, The Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, Ontario Parks, and the International Dark-Sky Association.