By Jordan Beaubois, News Editor
Bond Falls under the breadth of the Milky Way Galaxy – photo by Marybeth Kiczenski
A dark-sky preserve or more commonly referred to as “dark park” are known as protected plots of land where light pollution is lower to provide the available public with the ability of gazing upon the night sky unfettered by unnatural light. In the anthropogenic age of the Earth, light pollution is at its paramount.
Michigan, is one of the few states in the contiguous United States where this opportunity can be viewed. Yet, there is a caveat. The state itself comes in two; the Lower and Upper Peninsulas, one more densely populated and the other less so. The U.P., as it is more commonly referred to, actually prohibits dark-sky preserves in its entirety. Meaning that the only dark parks in the state that are protected are in the northern portion of the lower peninsula. Michigan Council Legislation – Section 324.75102 is the legislation in question, and for over 30 years dark-sky preserves have never been allowed in the one place where the night sky is least perverted.
As of currently there is a petition online by those who wish to repeal this law, and open the Upper Peninsula to those who wish to view this night sky while the potentiality is still available. “Dark parks are good for the sake of helping people reconnect with nature. If the dark parks are protected environmental areas like a park, and the sanctity of the environment is protected, there is little to no harm in having them,” said Olivia Kujala, a born Yooper and freshman at Grand Valley State University.
QR Code to the Right to Night movement’s Change.org website – QR code by Jordan Beaubois
As of currently the petition is just shy of 2,500 signatures on Change.org. Should any be interested in “the right to night” movement, the QR code provided leads to the petitioner’s website and further information, like their mission statement.
The Saint 