Deb Stueber, of Nucla, tried stepping down from leading the West End Dark Sky Alliance (WEDSA), but she’s still in charge, though hoping at some point a new leader will emerge. She told the Forum there have been some new memberships, and students from True North Youth Program are also coming forward to join WEDSA.
It’s not that she’s done with WEDSA or Dark Sky advocacy at all; in fact, she’s still vice president of the Western Slope Dark Sky Coalition, a more regional, overarching group that supports local chapters, like WEDSA.
Stueber told the Forum her groups aren’t focused on “just stargazing.” She said it’s about preventing light contamination.
“We aren’t crazy environmentalists,” she said. “It’s bigger than pollution. It affects everything, all living things, and their health and well-being.”
It being fall, she’s concerned about bird migration. She wants all to consider the effects of light contamination on behalf of the birds, and other wildlife too.
“Birds mostly migrate at night using the stars for navigation,” she said. “Folks need to dim or turn off their artificial lights at night, so birds don't get confused during fall migration and die before making it to their winter destinations. This is one of the many reasons we are happy Paonia and the Black Canyon Conservation Area have also become certified Dark Sky International places.”
She added that more dark skies will help to preserve the nighttime ecosystem, and besides the birds supports “insects and pollination, human and wildlife health, safety, crime and energy.”
In other Dark Sky news, the Western Slope Dark Sky Coalition is going to set up shop at the Heritage Festival on Oct. 5 in the Nucla Town Park. Stueber said the coalition has been instrumental in helping the Norwood and West End groups maintain their Dark Sky International designations and fulfill their lighting management requirements. Stueber said it’s important for the coalition to now raise funds for the greater Dark Sky Reserve, which would connect other places and span the region. It’s been in the works for the last two years. She said it takes a lot of resources to meet the various requirements.
The coalition is also now helping the Town of Ophir and San Miguel County write their Dark Sky International applications. She said the coalition has provided various types of support: monetary, technical, insurance, public relations, grant writing, training and business guidance.
In addition to the coalition, WEDSA members will also be on site at the Heritage Festival with a high-powered telescope. Some information and merchandise will be available, as will photographs by Dave Muller, a local astrophotographer.
Additionally, Stueber told the Forum that Norwood, Nucla and Naturita are all set to get their new Dark Sky-compliant street lights ordered. San Miguel Power Association will retrofit those lights, in order to fulfill the commitment to Dark Sky International. She said the hope is that Norwood’s would be installed soon, and Nucla’s by the end of the year. Naturita’s could potentially be done by the end of the year, but the town is lacking installation money.
“We are trying to raise it,” she said. “The coalition donated $1,000 to each community, and $2,500 to Norwood.”
Stueber said San Miguel County contributed to the street light fund, but officials there said their donation needed to be used in their county. At this time, Montrose County does not financially support the Dark Sky movement.
On the coalition board at this time with Stueber are Bob Grossman (president), Jaime Schultz (secretary and treasurer), Dave Muller, Gina Johnston (grant writer), Kris Holstrom — who’s stepping down due to a move across the country, though Stueber said she’s been granted a lifetime seat — John Humphries and Art Goodtimes.
