Dark Sky Preserves

What comes to mind when you hear ‘preserve?’ I would hazard a guess that it makes you suddenly imagine a picturesque view of mountains and trees, the hum of insects, fresh, crisp air. A feeling of calm in the face of natural wonderment. So now I ask if you have ever heard of a Dark Sky Preserve? No, not a problem. You’re probably wondering then, well that doesn’t make sense, you preserve something physical – how do you preserve the sky? 

Aha! I say, like I didn’t delve into hours of time spent on the Canada Parks website and a rabbit hole of Google searches, scientists have found a way to preserve the sky and it’s primarily through limited light pollution. It sounds almost ludicrously simple, but that’s kind of the point. Let me explain… 

Have you ever been able to go out into the middle of nowhere and actually see the stars? Gone on vacation where there’s little to no street lights or big city hustle and bustle? It’s a rarity in the days of modern industrialization where even the smallest towns make it difficult to see much more than the moon or Big Dipper. So, besides meaning that you get to realize just how tiny you are looking up at that big black expanse of space and stars, natural darkness is actually relied upon by many plants and animals to survive. Yeah, night owl isn’t just a turn of phrase (hoo knew…. I’m sorry, that will be the only owl pun I promise).

There are numerous Dark Sky Preserves across the globe dedicated to the protection of darkness-reliant ecosystems, and Canada protects more dark skies than any other jurisdiction in the world (Oh Canada, our home and native land…) makes you feel properly proud and patriotic, doesn’t it? 

Really, if you’re an astronomy nerd or just want to see the perfect night sky, these should be on your bucket list to visit. Many Dark Sky Preserves are located in national or provincial parks and offer programs to learn more about the preserve, late night walks and tours, and even camping away from human light sources! 

Jasper National Park is the big kahuna of Canada’s Dark Sky Preserves as designated in 2011 by the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada. Encompassing over 1,000 square kilometers, the park and its [human] residents are dedicated to taking steps to protect and preserve the night sky. So how can the rest of us experience this? Jasper hosts a number of special programs and events to highlight the importance of the night sky and to promote the significance of light pollution and the pay-offs of reducing it. Some of the best sky viewing locations in Jasper are accessible year-round. Who knows, maybe you might even see the Northern Lights (don’t forget your camera!) and in October they have an annual dark sky festival.

If you’re just making a day trip or don’t feel like staying up late there’s the planetarium for all your sunlit star needs (it’s hosted astronauts and even NASA scientists!)

Jasper isn’t the only preserve in Canada however, there are many more to explore across the country. 

Other Dark Sky Preserves in Canada include:

-Wood Buffalo National Park: Overlapping the border between the Northwest Territories and Alberta, this park was designated a DSP in 2013 and hosts a Dark Sky Festival in mid-to-late August every year. 

-Elk Island National Park (Beaver Hills): A small park in the Beaver Hills Preserve, this is a great stargazing area not far from Edmonton. 

-Fort Walsh National Historic Park (Cypress Hills): Tucked in the south-western corner of Saskatchewan, this historic site is not only a DSP but offers a look at a North West Police fort from the 1870s.

-Kouchibouguac National Park: A charming New Brunswick Park, they offer a plethora of activities and scientific programs for everyone to enjoy before a night under the stars.

-Point Pelee National Park: At the southernmost tip of Ontario, you’ll find one of Canada’s smallest national parks. They have specific Dark Sky nights where they offer seasonal star maps for you to use to guide your stargazing. 

-Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site: In the heart of Nova Scotia, this park offers a unique look at the night sky and how it has influenced and inspired centuries of songs and stories. 

-Terra Nova National Park: Within Newfoundland and Labrador, along the Terra Nova Lake this park has self guided night sky viewing, a guided Night Watch walk that teaches participants all about bats, and the Night Sky Celebration in August as just a few features to welcome you. 

So, whether you’re going out to learn something new or just want a peaceful night looking at the stars, Dark Sky Preserves are worth visiting to take a moment to appreciate the wonder of the world.