Is Mazama a dark sky community

[luna]

As we roll into fall the winter nights are coming earlier. Winter is the best time for star gazing in my opinion. The only problem is my neighbor seems to think that lights are wonderful. They have so many lights on that it illuminates not only their entire property but those around them. Any advice on how to approach them and explain that their lights are really intrusive.

[wildramble]

Perhaps the Methow Dark Sky Coalition can weigh in?

And, if/when you get that convincing spiel applied and those neighboring lights go out... can you sidle over to the Ciderhouse in Winthrop and ask them to do the community courtesy of turning off theirs too?

[TomLostRiver]

SEE!Post like this have no business on this board.You are not looking for advice your looking for support in what you perceive as bad so anyone that takes the bait gets your one sided view on this unsuspecting neighbor.If your smart enough to post this innocent appearing motive that disguises such bad motive then your smart enough to have the insite to approach your neighbor with respect and discuss your star gazing interruption with them.its just one of the many values lost with growth and growing pains.So much has been lost for good here its sad,I hope the neighborly bond is not next to go.post like this are destructive in an already volatile turning point as readers don't get a full perspective on the situation.god help us.respectfully tired

[kelseyray]

Methow Dark Sky is a great resource, in my experience. At one time they dispersed little handouts for people to keep and/or share with their neighbors/neighborhood. It made the topic more approachable between neighbors and explained how to tailor outdoor lighting to preserve Methow dark skies.
It definitely made me more conscious to turn off our porch lights at night.

[rtstebbins]

Talking to a neighbor about their lights can be difficult, and it isn't always successful. However, it's the best start and can immediately solve the problem.

On behalf of the Methow Dark Sky Coalition, let me point you to our web site (methowdarksky.org) with advice on how to talk to your neighbor about artificial lighting. Look under the About tab for a link labeled "How to talk to your neighbor." You can download the advice and refer to it as desired.

Our web site also has advice for your neighbor on how to modify their lighting. It can be as simple as turning off unnecessary lights or installing a lower power or lower temperature bulb. Timers, motion sensors and dark-sky compliant light fixtures are also options.

We hear from a lot of people who are irritated by stray light, sometimes from lights quite far away. A good starting point is to have no direct glare visible from your lights at your property boundary. A further goal is to only light what is necessary when necessary with the minimum necessary light and no more. Light your property as needed, but don't light your neighbor's.

If you want further support, contact us at info@methowdarksky.org

[luna]

Thank you everyone that responded. I now have a resource to go to and get information. With the information in hand I feel I can educate folks about the dark sky issues rather than just complain about the lights. My post was never to call out my neighbors as bad or uncaring people as they are super nice. It was to get advice on how to approach them without creating a sour discussion. Happy star gazing one and all!

[wildramble]

Dark skies are absolutely essential for migrating animals too.
Access to celestial navigation is their bread 'n butter to getting around ... and so much more.

This isn't a human-centric issue only, it's Eco centric.

https://darksky.org/resources/what-is-light-pollution/effects/wildlife-ecosystems/

[Reapward]

Another question that comes up is, why did we move here?