What’s Next For El Morro’s Night Sky?

Photo Credit: NPS Photo/ Leslie Kobinsky

By Leslie Kobinsky

Most of us have worried about a simple question that is often asked once something significant has been completed: What’s next? El Morro rangers and the community around the monument are now faced with this question after achieving International Dark Sky Park certification in December of 2019. But perhaps this question does not need to incite anxiety, but rather viewed as an opportunity.

The multi-year application process concluded last fall. This process included tracking the quality of the night skies and improving lighting standards inside the park. During the process and since the certification, the park and its neighboring partner, the El Morro Area Arts Council (EMAAC), have sponsored a wide array of commitments to night sky quality research, community events, and shared the benefits of responsible outdoor lighting. The level of support and engagement from EMACC, local businesses, and the community to achieve this certification has been truly inspiring. But alas, what’s next?

Being an International Dark Sky Park requires the park to demonstrate an ongoing responsibility for community engagement and to provide educational opportunities that underscore the importance of healthy night skies. These commitments must be upheld long after the application process is complete and for years to come. This winter, El Morro and its partners made progress in this area, debuting multiple new evening programs. In addition, the summer schedule was also filling up with after-dark programs like Full Moon Hikes, Star Parties, or telescope viewings. But now, El Morro, like the whole world is making adjustments in reaction to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The park was on track to host a celebration event on June 13th to offer fun and educational activities about the night sky. This celebration would also bring the community together to honor both an incredible accomplishment and the wondrous night sky that illuminates El Morro; a sky we no longer take for granted. Now, this event will have to wait, and has become something to look forward to in the coming months. But the pandemic does not change the importance of night skies. If anything, it reminds us to enjoy the natural beauty that surrounds us every day and every night.

We look forward to rescheduling our International Dark Sky Park celebration event, and when we do, we will spread the word far and wide. In the meantime, you can celebrate the night sky above you and think of ways to help preserve it. Visit https://www.darksky.org/ for some great ideas of how to improve outdoor lighting where you live, and the many ways that it helps humans, animals, and our environment to do so. You can still follow us on our website, www.nps.gov/elmo, and on our Facebook page, www.facebook.com/ elmorro.nps, where we will share updates about the park as we navigate through this pandemic. Feel free to send us questions through either of these sites; we’d love to hear from you. Stay safe and enjoy New Mexico’s night sky!