committed to preserving its small-town charm, and thanks to the sustained efforts of concerned residents, its dark night skies. In recognition of Sedona’s efforts protecting this important natural resource, the International Dark-Sky Association has designated the city of Sedona the world’s eighth International Dark Sky Community.
“We are pleased to honor the dedication and hard work of the many Sedona citizens committed to protecting the nighttime environment,” said Acting IDA Executive Director Scott Kardel.
The events culminating in today’s announcement began more than 40 years ago. Sedona residents founded Keep Sedona Beautiful (KSB) in 1972 to address rapid growth and a lack of regional long-term planning. Over time, KSB members began to consider light pollution as pressing an environmental issue as air and water quality and the protection of the Red Rocks. Fifteen years ago, city staff began working with KSB, the business community, and local citizens to identify problem outdoor lighting installations and to incorporate solutions into a revised code.
ordinance became law in 2001.
As part of the process of becoming a Dark Sky Community, the City of Sedona appropriated funds to bring City Hall into full compliance with the code and to provide resources for lighting retrofit projects such as that carried out at Posse Grounds Park. In 2012-13 the city’s Outdoor Lighting Small Grant Program provided 50 percent matching funds per project of up to an aggregate program total of $10,000 per project to encourage business and commercial property owners to voluntarily bring their grandfathered outdoor light fixtures into compliance with the ordinance. Earlier this year Sedona approved further protections that expanded the use of adaptive controls and light curfews for city-owned lighting.
innovative community outreach. Since the program began, eight Communities, 17 Parks and eight Reserves have received International Dark Sky designations.