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SpanishMCEDD supports a variety of special projects that align with the regional economic development strategy.
Promotion of energy efficiency and preservation of rural dark sky in the Gorge
MCEDD, the Friends of the Goldendale Observatory, and the Goldendale Chamber of Commerce developed a Gorge Night Sky partnership to promote energy efficiency, appropriate use of LED lighting technology for outdoor illumination, and astronomy education.
With the increase of highly efficient LED lighting options, many homeowners, businesses and cities are looking at upgrading their outdoor lights. This opportunity poses a risk to the nature of our rural dark sky.
Gorge Night Sky project, with funding support from a Google grant, is focused on educating the community about Dark-Sky standards and energy efficient LED options, developing educational units for schools, promoting preservation of the Gorge’s rural dark sky by helping consumers choose products that maintain or increase energy efficiency and meet Dark-Sky standards, and working with local vendors to gather commitments to stock Dark-Sky compliant, energy efficient LED options.
2016 Symposium |
Educational Units |
International Dark-Sky Association
The International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) is the recognized authority on light pollution and is the leading organization combating light pollution worldwide. IDA works to protect the night skies for present and future generations and has taken the lead in identifying and publicizing the negative impacts of artificial light at night on human health, wildlife and climate change.
Visit darksky.org to learn more about their work.
To see a highlight of a recent project; click below:
- Gorge Night Sky: MCEDD, the Friends of the Goldendale Observatory, and the Goldendale Chamber of Commerce developed a Gorge Night Sky partnership to promote energy efficiency, appropriate use of LED lighting technology for outdoor illumination, and astronomy education.