BCFNS NEWSLETTER

January 2021

Stat Report

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          *The membership decline should improve as renewals are still coming in.
          ^Through January 23

Social Media Expansion

BCFNS now has a presence on Instagram. Our digital marketing team of Katy Hahn and Laura Swinson is heading up the effort. You can find us at https://www.instagram.com/blancofriendsofthenightsky" Follow, share, and participate.

Commissioner's Court

Barbara Hudson, BCFNS secretary and Jerry Thompson, who worked the Night Sky Friendly Neighborhood Program in Blanco County along with Julia McCullough, represented the BCFNS, as the Hill Country Alliance presented a certificate of participation to the Blanco County Commissioners Court on January 26th honoring the Court's support of dark skies.

Legislative Update

Representative Erin Wiener has introduced HB298 which would allow cities designated as International Dark Sky Communities, or those who have applied for the designation, to enforce their outside lighting ordinances with criminal charges, a Class C misdemeanor. Blanco has applied for the designation, hoping to join its designated sister cities of Dripping Springs, Fredericksburg, Horseshoe Bay, Lakewood Village, Wimberly and Woodcreek as they fight to keep their night skies free of light pollution.

Support Our Friend the Gem in its 2021 Membership Drive

BCFNS has several active partners in our effort to preserve the night sky of the Texas Hill Country. One of the best is the Gem of the Hills Community Center in Blanco. The BCFNS got its kickstart at the Gem when it hosted our first informational meeting. Last year, we co-hosted our first "Star Party Sans Telescopes" event on the Gem's back field. This seven-minute YouTube video is part of the Gem's 2021 membership drive and is excellent introduction to its role in the community. Several BCFNS members helped produce the video, and other members are in the photos. At 3:44 it highlights the BCFNS. We recommend everyone consider becoming members of the Gem!

Online — Grow your Business with Dark Sky Tourism

The Hill Country Alliance wants to help you find out how your business can benefit from this new market and get tips on how you can make small changes that can help your business appeal to these new audiences. Astro tourism expert Richard Darn with a professional background as a media consultant, has appeared on BBC Sky at Night, BBC News 24 and Stargazing Live and is a regular on BBC local radio. He has helped scores of businesses tap into the market for dark sky experiences, offering practical advice and an undimmed passion for a starry sky. Learn more and register here.

Light Bulb Exchange Program

The Brown Foundation in Houston recently awarded BCFNS a grant to develop a program for individuals and businesses in Blanco County to replace light bulbs that cause glare and light pollution. We have $1,000 to buy flat-bottomed 2700 Kelvin LED bulbs and motion detecting bulbs to provide free of charge for those wishing to exchange bulbs. To get started we need a volunteer (preferably two...North Blanco County and South Blanco County). If you think this is something you might be able to do, please drop an email to president@blancocountynightsky.org.

Membership Renewal Time

Please take a few minutes to renew your Blanco County Friends of the Night Sky membership for 2021. You can do this online at: https://www.blancocountynightsky.org/membership.php.


Enjoy the Night! Look up and watch the stars!