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#### [Advocates](https://darksky.org/who-we-are/advocates/)
2,000+ volunteer Advocates around the world protect the night sky using education, advocacy, retrofits, community science, and more.
#### [Delegates](https://darksky.org/who-we-are/delegates/)
Your local points of contact in 30+ countries.
#### [Chapters](https://darksky.org/who-we-are/chapters/)
70+ chapters around the world are the local organizing centers for the dark sky movement.
#### [Partners](https://darksky.org/who-we-are/partners/)
We accomplish our goals through partnerships with universities, nonprofits, community groups, businesses, and more.
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* #### [Staff](https://darksky.org/who-we-are/staff/)
* #### [Board of Directors](https://darksky.org/who-we-are/board-of-directors/)
* #### [DarkSky Award winners](https://darksky.org/what-we-do/events/darksky-awards/)
* #### [more...](https://darksky.org/who-we-are/)
[](https://darksky.org/what-we-do/international-dark-sky-places/)
#### [International Dark Sky Places](https://darksky.org/what-we-do/international-dark-sky-places/)
We certify and help conserve starry sky parks, communities, and other places around the world.
[Find a Place](https://darksky.org/what-we-do/international-dark-sky-places/all-places/)
[](https://darksky.org/what-we-do/darksky-approved/)
#### [DarkSky Approved lighting](https://darksky.org/what-we-do/darksky-approved/)
We certify lighting products, designs, and installations that reduce light pollution.
[Search products](https://darksky.org/what-we-do/darksky-approved/products-companies/)
[](https://darksky.org/what-we-do/advancing-responsible-outdoor-lighting/)
#### [Advancing responsible outdoor lighting](https://darksky.org/what-we-do/advancing-responsible-outdoor-lighting/)
We work with communities and professionals to establish codes and statutes that reduce light pollution.
[View codes and statutes](https://darksky.org/what-we-do/advancing-responsible-outdoor-lighting/darksky-recognized-codes-and-statutes/)
[](https://darksky.org/what-we-do/advancing-responsible-outdoor-lighting/education-and-outreach/)
#### [Light pollution education](https://darksky.org/what-we-do/advancing-responsible-outdoor-lighting/education-and-outreach/)
We inform the public how excessive artificial light can harm humans, wildlife, and our climate.
### More
* #### [Our positions](https://darksky.org/what-we-do/advancing-responsible-outdoor-lighting/our-positions/)
* #### [Research](https://darksky.org/what-we-do/research/)
* #### [Awards](https://darksky.org/what-we-do/events/darksky-awards/)
* #### [Photo contest](https://darksky.org/what-we-do/events/photo-contest/)
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* #### [more...](https://darksky.org/what-we-do/)
[](https://darksky.org/who-we-are/chapters/)
#### [Find your local chapter](https://darksky.org/who-we-are/chapters/)
Regional groups all over the world can help you plug in.
[](https://darksky.org/who-we-are/advocates/)
#### [Become an Advocate](https://darksky.org/who-we-are/advocates/)
Making positive change in the fight against light pollution.
[](https://darksky.org/what-we-do/advancing-responsible-outdoor-lighting/darksky-recognized-codes-and-statutes/)
#### [Create codes and statutes](https://darksky.org/what-we-do/advancing-responsible-outdoor-lighting/darksky-recognized-codes-and-statutes/)
Establishing lawful requirements for outdoor lighting.
[](https://darksky.org/ways-to-give/)
#### [Become a DarkSky member](https://darksky.org/ways-to-give/)
Your support funds our advocacy, education, and certification efforts.
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* #### [Join our email list](https://darksky.org/get-involved/e-news/)
* #### [Assess your home lighting](https://darksky.org/get-involved/home-lighting-assessment/)
* #### [European Light Pollution Manifesto](https://darksky.org/get-involved/the-european-light-pollution-manifesto/)
* #### [Events](https://darksky.org/what-we-do/events/)
* #### [more ways to get involved...](https://darksky.org/get-involved/)
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Light pollution is the human-made alteration of outdoor light levels from those ocurring naturally. It has harmful effects on:
* #### [Wildlife and ecosystems](https://darksky.org/resources/what-is-light-pollution/effects/wildlife-ecosystems/)
* #### [Human health](https://darksky.org/resources/what-is-light-pollution/effects/human-health/)
* #### [Energy and climate change](https://darksky.org/resources/what-is-light-pollution/effects/energy-climate/)
* #### [Crime and safety](https://darksky.org/resources/what-is-light-pollution/effects/safety/)
* #### [Night sky heritage](https://darksky.org/resources/what-is-light-pollution/effects/night-sky-heritage/)
#### [Causes of light pollution](https://darksky.org/resources/what-is-light-pollution/causes/)
Streetlights, greenhouses, and satellites are mong the many sources.
#### [Five Principles for Responsible Outdoor Lighting](https://darksky.org/resources/guides-and-how-tos/lighting-principles/)
By applying these principles, properly designed lighting can be beautiful, healthy, and functional.
#### [Guides and How-tos](https://darksky.org/resources/guides-and-how-tos/)
What you need to know to: choose better outdoor lighting, pass a lighting ordinance locally, and much more.
#### [Lighting ordinances](https://darksky.org/resources/guides-and-how-tos/lighting-ordinances/)
When citizens band together to enact local legislation, light pollution advocacy can make great strides.
### More
* #### [FAQ](https://darksky.org/resources/faq/)
* #### [Glossary](https://darksky.org/resources/glossary/)
* #### [Materials for public outreach](https://darksky.org/resources/public-outreach-materials/)
* #### [Materials for educators](https://darksky.org/resources/materials-for-educators/)
* #### [Research](https://darksky.org/what-we-do/research/)
* #### [more resources...](https://darksky.org/resources/)
* [](https://darksky.org/news/darksky-approved-the-seal-you-can-count-on/ "DarkSky Approved, the true standard in dark sky preservation.")
* [](https://darksky.org/news/how-darksky-partners-with-the-national-audubon-society-to-promote-lights-out-for-the-birds/ "How DarkSky partners with the National Audubon Society to promote Lights Out for the birds")
* [](https://darksky.org/news/darksky-endorses-the-dark-and-quiet-skies-act/ "DarkSky endorses the Dark and Quiet Skies Act")
### News categories
* #### [Latest](https://darksky.org/news/)
* #### [Light pollution](https://darksky.org/tag/light-pollution/)
* #### [Dark Sky Places](https://darksky.org/tag/dark-sky-places/)
* #### [Monthly Star](https://darksky.org/tag/monthly-star/)
* #### [Press releases](https://darksky.org/category/news/press-release/)
* #### [more news...](https://darksky.org/news/)
#### [Mission](https://darksky.org/about#mission)
DarkSky works to restore the nighttime environment and protect communities and wildlife from light pollution.
#### [Our strategy](https://darksky.org/about/our-strategy/)
A bold new plan to slow the growth of light pollution and begin to reverse it.
#### [Success stories](https://darksky.org/about/success-stories/)
The dark sky movement is bursting with many successes, starting with 1958’s first-ever dark sky legislation.
#### [History](https://darksky.org/news/the-birth-of-ida-and-a-lifelong-mission-fighting-light-pollution/)
We’ve come a long way in 30+ years, growing from a small Arizona-based nonprofit into the world’s leading authority on light pollution.
### More
* #### [Code of conduct](https://darksky.org/about/code-of-conduct/)
* #### [Financials](https://darksky.org/about/financials/)
* #### [Careers](https://darksky.org/about/careers/)
* #### [Contact us](https://darksky.org/about/contact/)
* #### [Legal](https://darksky.org/about/legal/)
* #### [more about DarkSky...](https://darksky.org/about/)
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#### [Monthly membership](https://act.darksky.org/sustaining-membership/)
**Become a Nighthawk —** A monthly membership is the most sustainable way to support DarkSky.
[](https://act.darksky.org/annual-membership/)
#### [Annual membership](https://act.darksky.org/annual-membership/)
Your contribution will renew your membership today and automatically renew next year.
[](https://act.darksky.org/one-time/)
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Make a special, non-recurring gift to support our strategic initiatives.
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* #### [Membership benefits](https://darksky.org/ways-to-give/#membership-benefits)
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* #### [Corporate matching](https://darksky.org/ways-to-give#corporate-matching)
* #### [more ways to give...](https://darksky.org/ways-to-give/)
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{
DarkSky International restores the nighttime environment and protects communities from the harmful effects of light pollution through [outreach](https://darksky.org/what-we-do/advancing-responsible-outdoor-lighting/), [advocacy](https://darksky.org/get-involved/), and [conservation](https://darksky.org/what-we-do/international-dark-sky-places/).
What is light pollution?
------------------------
Light pollution is the human-made alteration of outdoor light levels from those occurring naturally.
### What are the effects?
Light pollution disrupts [wildlife](https://darksky.org/resources/what-is-light-pollution/effects/wildlife-ecosystems/), impacts [human health](https://darksky.org/resources/what-is-light-pollution/effects/human-health/), wastes [money and energy](https://darksky.org/resources/what-is-light-pollution/effects/energy-climate/), contributes to [climate change](https://darksky.org/resources/what-is-light-pollution/effects/energy-climate/), and blocks [our view of the universe](https://darksky.org/resources/what-is-light-pollution/effects/night-sky-heritage/).
[Learn about light pollution](https://darksky.org/resources/what-is-light-pollution/)
What can be done about light pollution?
---------------------------------------
Following [responsible lighting practices](https://darksky.org/what-we-do/advancing-responsible-outdoor-lighting/), passing dark sky friendly legislation, and advancing scientific research in this field are just some of the ways light pollution can be solved. You can get involved too!
[Get involved](/get-involved/)
###### What we do
Conserving Dark Sky Places around the world
-------------------------------------------
Our International Dark Sky Places program works with communities, parks, municipalities, and the public to certify and protect dark places for humans and wildlife alike.
[Visit a Dark Sky Place](https://darksky.org/what-we-do/international-dark-sky-places/all-places/)
Mont MĂ©gantic, Canada. Credit: RĂ©mi Boucher
###### What we do
Certifying dark sky friendly outdoor lighting
---------------------------------------------
Our DarkSky Approved program works with communities, manufacturers, retailers, designers, and others to evaluate and certify [dark sky friendly outdoor lighting equipment](https://darksky.org/what-we-do/darksky-approved/application/), as well as [dark sky friendly outdoor lighting projects](https://darksky.org/what-we-do/darksky-approved/outdoor-sports-lighting/).
[Find approved lighting products](https://darksky.org/what-we-do/darksky-approved/dark-sky-approved-products/)
Streetlights being retrofitted with LEDs in Portland, OR, U.S.
###### WHat We Do
### Public policy
We work with communities and governments to prioritize night sky protection and quality outdoor lighting.
[Learn more](https://darksky.org/what-we-do/public-policy/)
###### WHat We Do
### Education and outreach
We network globally to share information and expertise, and support local efforts though our volunteer Advocates.
[Learn more](https://darksky.org/what-we-do/education-and-outreach/)
###### WHat We Do
### And more…
We collaborate widely, present a global conference for the dark sky movement, and award stellar exemplars.
[Learn more](https://darksky.org/what-we-do#more-programs)
###### Get Involved
Chapters near you
-----------------
Our 60+ international chapters are at the forefront of the dark sky movement. Want to get involved? Find your local chapter:
[All chapters](https://darksky.org/chapters/)
Some of our partners
--------------------
Our efforts are multiplied by many valuable partnerships around the world.
[](https://www.audubon.org/news/national-audubon-society-and-international-dark-sky-association-partner-protect)
[](https://cie.co.at/)
[](https://www.ies.org/advocacy/light-at-night/)
[](https://theurbanimperative.org/dark-skies)
[](https://www.nps.gov/subjects/nightskies/index.htm)
[](https://new.nsf.gov/news/stars-disappear-our-eyes-light-pollution-citizen)
[](https://www.unoosa.org/oosa/en/ourwork/psa/schedule/2021/2021_dark_skies.html)
[](https://law.arizona.edu/news/2021/11/partnership-aims-combat-light-pollution-through-development-open-access-database)
[View all partners](https://darksky.org/who-we-are/partners/)
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