Wales: Dark Skies

Light has revolutionised the way we live, work and play, but it’s come at a hidden cost.

98% of the U.K population now lives under light polluted skies, meaning whole towns and cities never experience a natural night. There are now several generations in existence who have never seen a starry night sky. Dark skies are not just about a view to the cosmos however, artificial light at night is costing us dearly, impacting human health and causing a catastrophe for our biodiversity, driving declines across a myriad of species.

Dani Robertson, Dark Skies Officer for the Designated Landscapes in north Wales, works to educate people about dark skies, supporting people to access the night sky through stargazing events, night hikes and more in the Dark Skies Reserve of Eryri National Park and across the Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty in Pen Llŷn, Ynys Môn and the Clwydian Range Dee Valley. She also works to reduce light pollution, working with architects, engineers, and designers to create Dark Sky friendly lighting schemes. These schemes have been widely successful, with the flagship project at the National Outdoor Centre of Plas Y Brenin, in Capel Curig, winning a multitude of design awards. Projects like this one prove that with a little more knowledge and understanding, we can make a real difference.