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Join us for an in-depth look at preserving the dark skies in Central Oregon with Bob Grossfield, Observatory Manager of the Sunriver Nature and Observatory Center.

The program will overview why preserving dark skies is important, Sunriver's designation as a dark skies place, and what the future of an expansion of protecting the night sky in Oregon and beyond looks like.

The first step in preserving dark skies in Central Oregon was the designation of Sunriver as the newest addition to the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) Dark Sky Places Program in August 2020. Sunriver is the first “Dark Sky Place” recognized in Oregon and one of only 130+ recognized worldwide to date.

Bob Grossfeld, Observatory Manager of the Sunriver Nature and Observatory Center (SNCO) spearheaded the Dark Sky Place effort in accordance with the very active SNCO’s mission to “Inspire present and future generations to cherish and understand our natural world.”

Established in 1988, IDA has led a movement to protect our night skies from light pollution. Their overarching goal, which revolves around the four strategic priorities described below, is to reduce light pollution and promote responsible outdoor lighting that is beautiful, healthy, and functional.
1. Celebrate The Night: Increase awareness of the benefits of the night for all living things, and how light pollution is an urgent environmental threat that individuals can help solve.
2. Dark Sky Protection: Protect exemplary dark skies through our certification program.
3. Lighting Where We Live: Engage cities and communities in reducing light pollution through responsible lighting policy and practice.
4. Skyshed Restoration: Implement coordinated, intentional, and scalable actions to slow, halt, and reverse the increasing rate of light pollution.

The owners association in Sunriver has helped to preserve the night sky in the resort area in Sunriver. “We are honored that IDA has elected to welcome Sunriver into the IDA Dark Sky Places Program”, said Keith Mobley, President of the Sunriver Owners Association Board of Directors. “And we are pleased that our ongoing efforts of the past 60 years to be one with Nature are recognized now for our protection of pristine skies from light pollution.”

The Oregon Observatory is an astronomical observatory operated by the Sunriver Nature Center & Observatory. Sunriver’s elevation, pitch-dark surroundings, and crystal clear air make it perfect for stargazing.

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