International Dark Sky Week

International Dark Sky Week is a worldwide celebration of the dark and natural night. The goal is to draw attention to light pollution, promote simple solutions to mitigate the issue, and celebrate the irreplaceable beauty of a natural night. 

International Dark Sky Week was started by high school student Jennifer Barlow in 2003 and is now spearheaded by DarkSky International. In explaining why she started the week, Barlow said, “I want people to be able to see the wonder of the night sky without the effects of light pollution. The universe is our view into our past and our vision into the future. I want to help preserve its wonder.”

The Keweenaw Mountain Lodge is the the headquarters for the Keweenaw Dark Sky Park (which was designated an International Dark Sky Park on June 21, 2022.) As part of being a Dark Sky Park we provide education and community outreach about unnecessary light pollution. We do this by creating educational posters, offering monthly workshops and hosting the annual Upper Peninsula Dark Sky Festival.

In 2024, the state of Michigan has made a proclamation for International Dark Sky Week (as well, the Governor did in 2023):

• April 2-8, 2024 Dark Sky Week Proclamation on April 2, 2024 by Governor Gretchen Whitmer

In 2024, governing municipalities in our area have begun to make proclamations for International Dark Sky Week. The following local municipalities have made a proclamation for 2024:

• Eagle Harbor Township made a proclamation on March 11, 2024 

[ Download the 2024 Eagle Harbor Township Dark Sky Week Proclamation ]