Editor, Gazette-Journal:

As a child, recall looking up in awe at the star-filled dark sky dotted with the brilliance of twinkling stars and the creaminess of the Milky Way? Have you traveled somewhere in recent years where you could see the stars and celestial bodies—perhaps when you were offshore in a boat without nearby lights and could relive the awe?

Growing up in the rural Shenandoah Valley, I remember the contrast of the darkness and the ethereal Milky Way and know that, over time, the contrast has faded. Today we experience light pollution, from wasted light thrown upward into the night sky obscuring the features of the night skies. I yearn for those days … and apparently, others want to see the celestial wonders and have acted on it.

Del. David Reid (D-Loudoun) introduced House Joint Resolution 74 to designate the week of the new moon in April as International Dark Sky Week. This passed by unanimous vote of the General Assembly! For the past two years, Gov. Glenn Youngkin issued proclamations in observance of the week; now it has official designation, is placed on the General Assembly website, and annually Virginians will observe it.

As a resident of Gloucester County for nearly four years, I find the skies are washed out and believe residents, business owners, farmers, and community developers can help alleviate the artificial light pollution by using quality smart lighting certified by the International Dark Skies Association (IDA). This lighting does its job for our safety and security as it lowers the pollution—which has benefits to our day-night circadian rhythms. Scientists from across the spectrum have shown disruptions in the day-night rhythms impact human physical and mental health, interferes with wildlife hunting and mating patterns, the flight patterns of migratory birds, and underwater navigation patterns of aquatic life.

Gloucester County is the Pearl of the Chesapeake, it could also become a Leader in Dark Skies for sister counties along the Chesapeake Bay and tributary waterways. There is a huge resurgence of interest in the bay and its natural beauty, resources, and ecosystem. The transition to beneficial low safe lighting may not be a fast process—over time, as a light fixture needs replacing—use recommended fixtures (found at Home Depot and Lowe’s). There are a plethora of resources and monies available to aid communities to plan (VDOT, 2019; Dark Skies Va.) and begin the process to eliminate artificial lighting that contributes to light pollution.

We may not be able to move the Coleman Bridge or the docks at the Naval Weapons Station—but perhaps we can influence our neighbors and ourselves—so when we look north away from the York River, we get the full array of stars and the Milky Way.

Jennifer Matthews
Hayes, Va