Port Orford is a small town on the southwest coast of Oregon with a population of approximately 1200 people. Our town has a small business district and only 1 major highway, Hwy 101, going through it. Members of the Kalmiopsis Audubon Society and other concerned residents were moved to action in 2005. They wanted to preserve and protect our natural Dark Sky heritage. They conducted a lighting assessment and learned that the comparatively small amount of lighting infrastructure that we do have was poorly designed and it was polluting our night skies. Over the next few years after identifying the problem our local group of activists took a series of actions to educate, re-enforce awareness, and build consensus among the decision makers at state departments, local governments, utility companies, businesses, and private property owners. They developed a plan, obtained the necessary approvals, obtained grant funding, some donations and then worked quietly and effectively to modify, or remove and replace, inappropriate street lights that were polluting the night skies and obscuring the natural nightscapes with an ‘orange glow.'
Their efforts made a significant reduction in the amount of light pollution and greatly improved our local nightscapes. Today, thanks to their efforts, the view of the night sky from our dark site is awesome. On a clear night you can see an eye full of stars gently twinkling from horizon to horizon as they have since time began.
You really should come to Port Orford. Our nightscapes, seascapes, landscapes, and waterscapes are truly inspiring and some would say a life-changing experience.
For more information on the International Dark Sky Association go to - http://www.darksky.org/mc/page.do?sitePageId=59796
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