The picturesque mountain town of Julian, in San Diego County, has recently been certified as California’s second dark sky community, following the example of nearby Borrego Springs.
Residents established the Julian Dark Sky Network in 2016, working with the county over several years to enact an exterior lighting ordinance that would meet the International Dark Sky Association’s standards.
The result was a detailed policy that requires, among other things, that households and businesses use specific types of light bulbs and timers. Light pollution can drown out views of the night sky and confuse birds, bats, and other nocturnal animals. Bulbs that emit warmer tones are preferable to those with a cooler blue spectrum.
“We are at a threshold point where we can decisively reverse decades of increasing regional light pollution and see a whole region of dark sky appreciation and preservation emerge,” said Doug Sollosy, founder of the network.
The network plans to organize more astronomical activities for the public throughout the year, promoting the city as one of the few places in the country where you can see the Milky Way.
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Julian is the thirteenth community to receive the official designation from the international group, formed in 1988. Other certified cities include Flagstaff, Arizona, Ketchum, Idaho, and Torrey, Utah.
“The dedication of Julian’s Dark Sky Network … is significant to all of San Diego County,” said Ruskin Hartley, executive director of the association. “A path to accreditation has been opened for unincorporated cities and towns as a result of the network’s efforts.”
Sollosy said he and others had anticipated that the process would be as simple as adopting the policies enacted by Borrego Springs. But they quickly realized that the association’s standards had evolved since the desert city was accredited in 2009.
“We thought we could follow in their footsteps and it wouldn’t be too difficult, but what we found out pretty early is that the San Diego County lighting code was pretty out of date,” Sollosy said.
“The biggest hurdle was figuring out what would work for our businesses while protecting the night sky,” he added. “It was quite a challenge.”
The International Dark Sky Association also recognizes the efforts of reserves, sanctuaries and parks. Anza-Borrego Desert State Park was designated as a dark sky park in 2018.
Smith writes for the San Diego Union-Tribune.
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