Residents of Oracle are in the early stages in the process of obtaining the designation as an International Dark Sky Community. Oracle residents and businesses are hoping to follow in the footsteps of Oracle State Park that was designated an International Dark Sky Park in 2014. The formal recognition, which would be awarded by DarkSky International (formerly IDA, headquartered in Tucson), allows the community to advertise the designation locally and internationally as an eco-friendly area, and would be a welcome to potential residents and visitors such as environmentalists, naturalists, astro-tourists and to businesses that are concerned about the culture in which their employees live and work. The International Dark Sky Community designation would recognize that Oracle is dedicated to protecting the environment and reducing the contribution to climate change brought about by light pollution.

Oracle has a long history of protecting the night sky, primarily by encouraging its citizens and businesses to comply with existing Pinal County Outdoor Lighting ordnances and supporting the activities at Oracle State Park. Oracle residents enthusiastically support the Park’s cultural initiatives, such as the afternoon and evening events at last year's "Oracle Dark Sky Cultural Festival" and the "David H. Levy Arizona Dark Sky Star Party".

The Dark Sky Community designation could apply to an area beyond the boundaries of just Oracle and could even include SaddleBrooke Ranch and possibly San Manuel. Discussions are in progress on the benefits of the designation as well as how and who participates.

An essential first step in the process is to re-form the Oracle Dark Skies Committee that worked to have Oracle State Park designated in 2014. Preliminary meetings of Oracle and SaddleBrooke Ranch residents have produced job descriptions (below) for the leadership positions and outreach efforts to contact interested individuals. Of the initial four positions, Chair, Co-Chair, Secretary and Treasurer, only the Treasurer has been identified.

Chair:
The Chair of the Oracle Dark Skies Committee (ODSC) will lead the committee in the pursuit of the DarkSky International "International Dark Sky Community" (IDSC) designation for Oracle. The Chair will coordinate meetings, activities, public outreach, and be the main focal point with DarkSky International, local government agencies, residents, and business owners, as required to meet the IDSC requirements.

Vice-Chair:
The Vice-Chair of the ODSC will assist the Chair as required. The Vice-Chair will act on the Chair's behalf during any absence of the Chair.

Secretary:
The Secretary of the ODSC will record and publish minutes of ODSC meetings, collect evidence (photographs, media reports, etc.) and prepare documentation (with the assistance of all ODSC members) to support the Oracle IDSC application to IDA. The Secretary may also handle social media and ODSC web site updates.

Anyone who has an interest in leading or participating in this important environmental effort should contact Oracle resident Mike Weasner (mweasner@mac.com) or SaddleBrooke Ranch resident Chip Parfet (cparfet@gmail.com).

Go back to the ODSC Home Page.