Van Slyke Adds International Dark Sky Week To Town Council Agenda

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At the March 9 Town Council meeting, Councilor Bonnie Van Slyke will ask her fellow Town Councilors to join her in proclaiming the week of April 13 to 20 as International Dark Sky Week in Charlestown.

Charlestown is an important location for the study and viewing of the cosmos because we have the darkest skies along the coast between New York and Boston. Our view of the cosmos needs to be both protected and celebrated, and towards that end, Bonnie has proposed the following proclamation for the March 9 Town Council meeting .

WHEREAS, the nighttime sky is a natural, cultural, and historic resource that inspires awe and wonder for all humanity; and

WHEREAS, 80 percent of the world’s population lives under a dome of light pollution that disrupts ecosystems, harms human health, and obscures our view of the universe; and

WHEREAS, Charlestown, Rhode Island, is known for some of the darkest night skies remaining on the U.S. Eastern Seaboard and for its diverse nocturnal and diurnal wildlife species, plants, and insects; and

WHEREAS, Charlestown, Rhode Island, recognizes the importance of our night skies for wildlife, astronomical research, and the well-being of our residents; and

WHEREAS, Charlestown, Rhode Island, has led by example by adopting a lighting ordinance, improving street lighting technology, and retrofitting municipal buildings; and

WHEREAS, night sky compliant lighting practices can be as easy as using light only where you need it, when you need it, with the minimum amount of light needed, while shielding and directing light downwards; and

WHEREAS, by adopting quality lighting choices that align with DarkSky International’s Principles of Responsible Outdoor Lighting, we can reduce energy consumption and preserve the nocturnal environment; and

WHEREAS, DarkSky International has designated International Dark Sky Week to provide education, resources, and solutions to encourage the protection of dark skies and responsible outdoor lighting;

NOW, THEREFORE, the Charlestown Town Council does hereby proclaim the week of APRIL 13–20, 2026, as INTERNATIONAL DARK SKY WEEK in Charlestown, Rhode Island, and asks each resident to join us in turning off unnecessary outdoor lights, using shielded fixtures, and taking time to appreciate and protect our precious night sky resources.

Visit Our “Charlestown Dark Sky” Page For More On The Light Pollution Issue

Banner image is a photo of the Milky Way over Frosty Drew Observatory by Scott MacNeill