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Arizona State Parks, in collaboration with the Friends of Oracle State Park and the Oracle Dark Skies Committee, announces that it is pursuing an "International Dark Sky Park" (IDSP) designation at Oracle State Park in Oracle, Ariz.

The designation, when awarded by the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA), headquartered in Tucson, Ariz., will make Oracle State Park the first Arizona State Park to be so honored.

The IDA defines IDSP sites as "a park or other public land possessing exceptional starry skies and natural nocturnal habitat where light pollution is mitigated and natural darkness is valuable as an important educational, cultural, scenic, and natural resources." The IDA IDSP Program has three tiers to designate the quality of night skies. Gold is the highest award representing the darkest skies, followed by the Silver and Bronze designations.

Light Pollution Defined

Light pollution comes from lighting that is aimed horizontally or upward, is unshielded, brighter than it needs to be, and/or shines beyond where and when it is needed. Light pollution not only impacts the science of astronomy (an important business in Arizona), but can cause documented negative impacts on wildlife, the environment and human health. Light pollution wastes over $2 billion a year in unnecessary energy costs in the United States.

As part of its work to have Oracle State Park nominated for the designation, the Oracle Dark Skies Committee has reached out to local residents, business owners and government offices to reduce or eliminate local sources of light pollution. Everyone can help Oracle State Park "Go for the Gold."

About Oracle State Park

Oracle State Park is located northeast of Tucson in the northern foothills of the Catalina Mountains. The Park is a 4,000-acre wildlife refuge, environmental education center and day-use recreation park.

Oracle State Park: Pioneer Family Kannally's Ranch House

The Park features a diversity of animals, plant species and rock formations. There are also oak tree-shaded washes, mesquite scrub habitats and riparian woodlands with manzanita and beargrass.

On weekdays, the park has school programs by reservation by calling (520) 896-2425 and on weekends is open for hiking, offers tours of the Kannally Ranch House and holds events. Group facilities are also available for weddings and other group gatherings.

The Park Entrance Fee is $7 per vehicle for up to four adults. For more information about Oracle State Park call (520) 896-2425 or visit AZStateParks.com/parks/ORAC.

For more information, contact Mike Weasner, chair, Oracle Dark Skies Committee, mweasner(at)mac.com or call (520) 289-3402. Information on the IDA "International Dark Sky Park" Program is available at http://www.darksky.org/component/content/article?id=86.