Blanco Named International Dark Sky Community

The City of Blanco shared the news via their Facebook Page reporting that “International Dark Sky Week is April 22-30. This year was extra special for the City because it officially became an International Dark Sky Community. In fact, Blanco became the 5th International Dark Sky Community in Texas.” It became the 37th International Night Sky Community in the entire world! This was also announced on the International Dark Sky website: Blanco Receives International Dark Sky Community Designation.

“The process was a long one for us, but the end goal was worth it,” stated Blanco Mayor Rachel Lumpee. “The City of Blanco sits at the 'edge of darkness,' with light polluted large cities to our east and south. We view our still beautiful night sky as a treasured natural resource that deserves protection from light pollution. We want to protect the darkness we have and actually reclaim the even more beautiful night skies enjoyed by our predecessors here in the Texas Hill Country.”

“BCFNS President, Wayne Gosnell was the driving force behind the recognition of Blanco as an International Dark Sky Community,” said Vice President, Vicki Guidry. “He worked very hard for many years to help the city achieve this status! Thank you, Wayne and Congratulations, to the City of Blanco!”

The City of Blanco was supported through the certification process by many partners including the Texas Chapter of the International Dark Sky Association and the Hill Country Alliance (HCA), a non-profit created to build awareness and community support for the natural resources and heritage of the Central Texas Hill Country.”

Blanco joins the four neighboring IDSC-designated communities in the Texas Hill Country: Fredericksburg, Dripping Springs, Horseshoe Bay, and the Wimberley Valley. Additionally, Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park (Ranch Unit), Enchanted Rock State Natural Area, and Milton Reimers Ranch, all a short drive from Blanco, have been designated as IDA International Dark Sky Parks.

Wayne announced this to our members, “Those of you who attended the Annual Gathering of the Blanco County Friends of the Night Sky (BCFNS) on Tuesday already know this news, but may not have yet seen the Press Release issued by the International Dark Sky Association. If you weren't able to attend the gathering, this might be entirely new news for you. Either way, we're excited! After 15 years of work, the City of Blanco has earned the designation by the International Dark Sky Association (IDA) as an International Dark Sky Community (IDSC)! As of January 2022, there were only 195 designated IDA Dark Sky Places in the world. Blanco is one of only 37 communities worldwide to have earned this distinction. The City was officially notified of the award at the Annual Gathering of the Blanco County Friends of the Night Sky at the Los Senderos Ranch on April 26th.”

Board Member and Secretary, Barbara Hudson, expresses our gratitude to BCFNS Treasurer, Larry Seiler and his wife, Terri for opening their Los Senderos Ranch for the Annual Gathering and Star Party. “Your hospitality was most appreciated. Your ranch is a beautiful place and perfect for a star party. Thank you!” Over 70 members and guests attended the event.

Additionally, a very special “Thanks” goes out to the Hill Country Astronomers. We would not have been able to have a star party without their expertise and their telescopes. Just as we were about to give up hope, the clouds cleared, and we were gifted with a beautiful, clear night sky. It was so awesome to view star clusters and double stars through the telescopes.

IDA used the photo above right in their announcement with the following caption: “The starry skies above Blanco, Texas is one of the things that draws more and more people to visit there. A dedicated group of volunteer night sky advocates work on a variety of night sky preservation and light pollution abatement initiatives to keep the stars at night ‘big and bright.’” —Photo credit: Mike Lundy.