Flagstaff, Arizona has the world’s longest-standing and most comprehensive measures in place to preserve the quality of the night sky. Initially established to preserve dark skies for astronomical research, the standards now serve diverse stakeholders. As of 2017, three distinct but interrelated dark-sky-preservation efforts are underway and proceeding toward completion on well-defined timescales, that will ensure the preservation of dark skies in northern Arizona for decades to come and that will serve as a national model for implementing effective outdoor lighting practices in the LED era.

A presentation on several projects will be provided by Jeff Hall, Director of Lowell Observatory.  The projects are Street Lighting to Enhance Dark Skies (SLEDS), the Naval Observatory Flagstaff Station Mission Compatibility Light Pollution Study and the Joint Land Use Study (JLUS).  In addition to project teams a local Dark Sky working group has been formed.  Implementation of the Light Pollution Study recommendations will require amendments to the City and County lighting standards.  Additional amendments may result from the JLUS.  The presentation and supporting documents are attached.