Flagstaff is the world’s first
“International Dark-Sky City” 

What Does It Mean?

On October 24th, 2001, the City of Flagstaff became the world’s first “International Dark-Sky City.” The designation was awarded by the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA), a nearly 10,000 member tax-exempt non-profit organization dedicated to building awareness of the problems of light pollution as it affects astronomy and the public, and to promote quality outdoor lighting.

Dr. David Crawford, co-founder and Executive Director of IDA, presented the award to City Manager David Wilcox and City Councilwoman Penny Trovillion at a ceremony on the campus of Northern Arizona University.

The International Dark-Sky City designation is given to identify towns and cities “with exceptional commitment to and success in implementing the ideals of dark sky preservation and/or restoration, and their promotion through quality outdoor lighting.” 

Crawford also observed that the City of Flagstaff continues to demonstrate this commitment through:

	Pioneering and consistent efforts to develop, implement and maintain the highest quality lighting code.
	Municipal lighting policies such as aggressive replacement of high-pressure sodium and mercury vapor roadway lighting by fully shielded LPS.
	Publication in four “Cityscape” magazines of articles promoting education about the lighting code and the advantages of quality lighting.
	Distribution of Flagstaff Dark Skies Coalition (FDSC)-produced lighting brochures with all building permits.
	Funding of the FDSC Million Lumens Campaign, an innovative program to help businesses replace their “grandfathered” and obsolete lighting.
	Awarding of $3,000.00 to FDSC by the City’s Arts and Science Commission for its autumn 2001 "Celebration of the Night" series of educational and artistic events.
	Undertaking a citywide review of all city-owned facility lighting, with the aim to bring all such lighting completely into compliance with the lighting code by the end of 2002, resources permitting.
	Replacement of all up-directed flag lighting with pole-mounted fully shielded fixtures.

“No other city or town has shown such an overall commitment to protecting the quality of its dark skies, not only for the observatories, but for all the citizens of northern Arizona,” said Dr. Crawford.

For the criteria used for the International Dark-Sky Community award, click here. For more information, contact Dr. David Crawford at IDA in Tucson by phone at 520/293-3198 or by e-mail at IDA@darksky.org.