October proclaimed Hill Country Night Sky Month

This October will mark the third annual Hill Country Night Sky Month, celebrating the star-filled night sky and the many ways Hill Country communities are working to preserve it.

At the Dripping Springs City Council meeting on Oct. 4, the council proclaimed October 2022 as Hill Country Night Sky Month throughout the city. In doing so, Dripping Springs joins The Hill Country Alliance and other communities in the area that are dedicated to the preservation of the region’s night skies.

Dripping Springs was the first city in Texas to be designated as an International Dark Sky Community and the sixth one in the world. This designation was given to the city in 2014 by the International Dark-Sky Association.

To help maintain that designation, the City Council encouraged citizens in its proclamation to learn about light pollution and why it matters, to learn about night sky friendly lighting and lighting regulations and to implement practices to reduce light pollution.

“The aesthetic beauty and wonder of star-filled skies are the heritage of all humankind and locally to the inhabitants of Dripping Springs and are therefore worthy of celebration,” the proclamation reads. “The experience of standing beneath a star-filled night sky inspires feelings of wonder and awe … The opportunity to view star-filled skies attracts tourists to our region and therefore economic benefit to Dripping Springs, and preserving the rich historic heritage and starry night skies of Dripping Springs is important to its residents.”

Year-round, but especially during the month of October, Dripping Springs residents and businesses can follow some of these guidelines to help protect the skies: • Use light only when and where necessary.

• Aim needed lights downward.

• Minimize blue light emissions.

• Use energy-efficient lighting sources and fixtures.

• Use timers, dimmers, and motion sensors.

• Select warm LED bulbs under a 3,000 Kelvin rating.

• Draw blinds or curtains to reduce light spill.

The proclamation also encourages citizens to participate in Dripping Springs’ and the greater Hill Country’s events, programs, and activities celebrating the night sky. This includes the Dripping Springs Star Party at Dripping Springs Ranch Park, which will take place on Oct. 21 at 7:30 p.m.

More events, programs and activities are available on the Hill Country Alliance website at hillcountryalliance.org/ nightskymonth.

For more, visit cityof-drippingsprings. com/ night-sky.