Cottonwood Shores and HSB express dark sky pride

By Emily Hilley-Sierzchula

Modern-day humankind is no stranger to pollution: of the air, water, land; but what about light pollution?

The leadership of two Hill Country cities expressed desire in maintaining the beauty of their night skies through participation in International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) programs, which aim to reduce the “light pollution” from wayward city lighting.

The city councils of both Cottonwood Shores and Horseshoe Bay discussed IDA programs at their meetings less than a week apart.

Cottonwood Shores Councilman Roger Wayson broached the topic at the Oct. 16 meeting; On Oct. 21, Horseshoe Bay city manager Stan Farmer proposed that Horseshoe Bay compete for the International Dark Sky Community Award.

Dripping Springs is the first, and currently only, city in Texas to have won that award.

“Being able to see the stars is an asset Cottonwood Shores has,” Wayson said. “In Austin, people forget the stars even exist because they can’t see them. They visit Cottonwood Shores, see the stars and say, ‘Wow.’”

Wayson mentioned both financial and cultural benefits. “The big thing is you can cut down the wattage of bulbs by more than half and still have the same lighting where you want it,” he said. Also important is how to situate light so it’s not broadcasting into the sky where it’s not needed.

“Once implemented, city electric bills will drop noticeably,” he said.

At the same time, “our dark skies are a resource we have and need to protect it,” Wayson said.

Wayson said he first got involved with the dark-sky movement when working with the national parks system, which has implemented ideas in the program. “They’re saving a ton of money plus cutting down on light emissions and pollution,” he said.

For the full story, see Tuesday's Highlander.