Lake Travis - Westlake Edition | March 2024

BY GRACE DICKENS & ZACHARIA WASHINGTON

Diving in deeper

Davies is hoping once the solar eclipse is over, people will stay to observe the sky at nightfall. “Come for the sun, stay for the stars,” Davies said. “You can’t have a total solar eclipse without a new moon, and the best time to observe the night sky ... is during the new moon.” Places with Dark Sky designations tend to attract astro-tourists, or people who travel from around the U.S. and sometimes even the world to experience astronomical events or phenomenons. Texas has over 20 sites designated as International Dark Sky Places, including Bee Cave. The program certies areas across the world that preserve and protect dark skies through lighting policies and public education. Lakeway ocials have made strides in the last year to eventually become a Dark Sky community by passing a Dark Sky Ordinance encouraging the use of certain lights to avoid light pollution. “Currently we are not a Dark Sky certied city, but that is something that could be a potential in the future,” Wise said.

183

281

620

360

962

965

290

MOPAC

183 TOLL

290

130

281

MAP NOT TO SCALE N

Dark Sky communities in Central Texas

Pursuing designation

1 Bee Cave

5 Fredericksburg

10 River Hills Neighborhood State Park & Historic Site 9 Lyndon B. Johnson

3 Dripping Springs 2 Blanco

6 Horseshoe Bay 7 Jonestown

13 Lakeway 14 Liberty Hill

12 Wimberley Valley 11 Travis County Milton Reimers Ranch Park

4 Enchanted Rock

8 Lost Creek

SOURCE: TEXAS CHAPTER OF DARKSKY INTERNATIONALCOMMUNITY IMPACT

State Natural Area

Development

Learn more

Something to note

Experts said the April 8 total solar eclipse will oer a dierent experience than the annular October eclipse, and they are encouraging spectators to pay special attention to nature during the event. “There’s the experience of the moon’s shadow passing over you,” Luongo Cassidy said. “It’ll darken and you want to listen to what all the animals are doing as that light changes.” Hill Country ocials said they are looking forward to the benets of tourism brought on not only from the eclipse, but also the region’s dark skies. As a Dark Sky Community, Bee Cave has shown its dedication to preserving the wonders of the night sky, and getting to experience totality in their own city is very special, King said. “We always enjoy having tourists to see our charming hive, visit our businesses and restaurants and see the beauty that is Bee Cave. We are looking forward to giving all visitors a warm welcome,” King said.

Preserve night skies Experts recommended a few steps residents can take to reduce light pollution.

Once a community or park receives a Dark Sky designation, it can generate additional tourism dollars from those seeking dark skies. “It draws tourists—people will drive for [dark skies],” DarkSky Texas President Cindy Luongo Cassidy said. Davies said roughly two dozen Hill Country entities are either in the process of submitting an application for a designation or hoping to start soon. “There is such a draw to come out to take advan- tage of all the beauty and nature and history during the day, and then luxury under the night sky,” she said. “It’s given communities a great opportunity to use [dark skies] as a way to promote their area.” Furthermore, dark skies can better support nature and the ecosystem. Luongo Cassidy said light pollution—the brightening of the sky by manmade or articial sources—can negatively impact the migratory pattern of birds, the rey population, pollinators and even humans. “Light pollution aects every single ... creature on the planet,” Davies said. “We’re really hoping to continue to see this uptick in people taking an inter- est in becoming involved, becoming engaged, and telling people they know about [light pollution].”

Replace light bulbs with warmer colors

Turn outdoor light xtures downward

Install motion sensors or timers for lights

Use lighting on an as-needed basis

Keep indoor lighting from escaping outdoors

SOURCES: DARKSKY INTERNATIONAL, HILL COUNTRY ALLIANCECOMMUNITY IMPACT

“If we don’t act now … there’s not going to be a night sky for our children, for their children, for future generations.”

DAWN DAVIES, NIGHT SKY PROGRAM MANAGER AT HILL COUNTRY ALLIANCE

LAKE TRAVIS WESTLAKE EDITION