DarkSky Oregon is a Trailblazer

Founded in 2019, DarkSky Oregon has become one of the leading advocates of night sky conservation in the United States. Led by diverse board of individuals with their own unique perspectives and talents, and who value a night sky for its important environmental, health, and aesthetic values, in just a few short years DarkSky Oregon has accomplished a remarkable record of night sky conservation achievements.

Oregon currently has seven certified International DarkSky Places – Sunriver, Antelope, Sisters, Prineville Reservoir State Park, Cottonwood Canyon State Park, Oregon Caves National Monument and part of the Oregon Outback Dark Sky Sanctuary. Benefits of a DarkSky International dark sky place certification include improved quality of life for people, protection of wildlife ecosystems, and the economic value of dark sky tourism.

With support from DarkSky Oregon and from numerous visitor associations, dozens of groups of Oregonians across the state are organizing and working toward recognizing the importance of the night sky and pursuing dark sky place certifications:

Eugene
Misty Bowman and others are organizing a dark sky support group. Read Misty’s Guest Viewpoint in the Eugene Weekly. Contact DarkSky Oregon to participate in the Eugene group.

Portland
Albert Kaufman has organized an email list “Friends of the Portland Night Sky”. Sign up and get involved. Can Portland attain certification as an International Dark Sky Community? Yes, with your help.

Salem
A group “Dark Skies For Salem” is organizing with a goal to encourage the city to work toward dark sky certification. Contact DarkSky Oregon to participate in the Salem group.

Columbia River Gorge
Mike Hendricks of Hood River has organized an email group “Dark Skies Gorge.” Here’s the July 2025 update and Contact information.

​Halfway
​Pam Conley and Rachel Cairns have organized “Dark Skies Over Halfway” to work toward certification as a Dark Sky Community. The Hells Canyon Journal covered their progress in an article on July 30th.
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Bend
A group“Dark Skies Over Bend” is organizing with a goal to encourage the city to work toward dark sky certification. Contact DarkSky Oregon  to participate in the Bend group.

Applegate Valley
In the Applegate Valley of Southwest Oregon there is now a dark sky group, “Applegate After Dark.” Community members are working to raise awareness of dark sky concepts in collaboration with local non-profits.

Lincoln City
Lincoln City, with support from Explore Lincoln City, is actively working toward certification as a Dark Sky Community.  Also see Engage Lincoln City.

City of Cave Junction
The Illinois Valley Chamber of Commerce has received a grant from Travel Oregon’s Recreation Ready program to work toward the City of Cave Junction's nomination as a Dark Sky Community. Here’s their Phase 1 Feasibility Report and Action Plan.  Contact Megan Curtis (541)592-3326 or [email protected] for more information.

Blue River
Community members have organized the “Blue River Night Sky Alliance” with a goal of Dark Sky Community certification and in fact, dark skies along the entire 60 mile “Main Street” of the McKenzie River corridor. Here’s a writeup from the Lane Electric Cooperative, “Going Dark for the Stars.”

Eagle Crest
Community members have organized “Dark Skies Over Eagle Crest”, at the resort west of Redmond. The group is making progress, educating homeowners and management about reducing unnecessary outdoor lighting.  Learn more.

Wallowa Lake State Park
Rangers at Wallowa Lake State Park in northeastern Oregon are working for certification as an International Dark Sky Park. Data from a Sky Quality Meter, running there for the past four years, demonstrates that the Park's night sky is quite dark!

​For more information on how to get involved and support these efforts, contact DarkSky Oregon.

​Originally published by DarkSky Oregon August 2025.