Herefordshire Dark Skies Volunteers Receive International Award

An award has been bestowed upon volunteers dedicated to preserving Herefordshire’s dark skies, an initiative that benefits wildlife and enhances stargazing opportunities. Herefordshire, recognized as one of England’s least densely populated counties, already experiences comparatively low levels of nighttime light pollution. Nevertheless, the Dark Skies Herefordshire group strives for further improvements in this area and has now received recognition for its ongoing work. The group’s members were presented with the DarkSky International Bob Gent Community Leadership Award. This team, supported by the countryside charity Herefordshire CPRE, employs citizen science methodologies to tackle light pollution, a method that judges lauded as “truly exemplary”. Dark Skies Herefordshire, established by former county councillor Yolande Watson, collaborates with local organizations such as Visit Herefordshire, Herefordshire Wildlife Trust, and the Wye Adapt to Climate Change Project. Their collective mission is to safeguard and advocate for Herefordshire’s dark skies and to elevate public understanding of the issues posed by light pollution. According to Herefordshire CPRE, artificial nighttime illumination has the potential to “interfere with the natural nighttime patterns of humans and wildlife,” with nocturnal insects being especially susceptible to its effects. The Herefordshire Astronomical Society, which participates as a partner in this endeavor, conducts regular meetings at Hereford’s Kindle Centre. Additionally, Fownhope’s recreation field serves as one of its consistent observation locations.