In 2018, Crawford recruited long-time amateur astronomer, Terry Taddeucci, to help organize a stargazing event to coincide with the Persied meteor shower. Forty people, many of whom had never looked through a telescope, were able to view three planets and one asteroid through telescopes. The success of the star party made Taddeucci realize “that we should do more to promote and preserve the value and beauty of our dark sky in Creede.”
The high altitude and low humidity in Mineral County contribute to the clarity of the milky way in our gloriously dark night sky. Headwaters Alliance is working with the community to preserve the night sky through responsible lighting practices and public education with the goal of becoming a Dark Sky Reserve through the International Dark Sky Association. HWA is working closely with US Forest Services, SLVREC, Rio Grande Silver, Creede School, the City of Creede, Mineral County and the community to accomplish this goal.
Through meetings and engaging events, HWA is sharing resources and information to help community members to modify lighting fixtures to dark sky friendly criteria. This ensures that fixtures shine light where it is needed - on the ground. This saves energy without sacrificing safety, and all while preserving the dark sky. Community members are invited to participate in a Citizen Science effort and take their own dark sky measurements with either of the following apps: “Loss of the Night” or “Dark Sky Meter.” With the combined effort of community and the already dark night sky, Dark Sky Certification is within reach.
Headwaters Alliance is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Our mission is to cultivate a sustainable environmental and economic future for the headwaters of the upper Rio Grande through community engagement, restoration, education, and innovation. For more information, contact us at 719-695-0359 or via email at coordinator@headwatersalliance.org.
For more information on this topic, please contact Katherine Valicenti, Engagement Coordinator for the Headwaters Alliance at coordinator@headwatersalliance.org
This article original ran in the South Fork Tines
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