Skip to content

Under One Sky 2026: Are you registered for DarkSky’s global conference? Join us for engaging workshops, inspiring stories from around the world, and a one-of-a-kind experience dedicated to protecting the night.

Forest of Stars by Marcin Zajac

Protecting the night

DarkSky International restores the nighttime environment and protects communities from the harmful effects of light pollution through outreach, advocacy, and education.

More than obscuring our view of the stars, light pollution disrupts wildlife, harms human well-being, wastes money and energy, and contributes to climate change.

A person in an orange jacket stands on a rocky mountainside overlooking an illuminated lakeside town, with towering mountain peaks and the colorful Milky Way stretching across a star-filled night sky.
 Credit: Dustin Bischke

Watching the Galaxy Rise by Dustin-Bischke

Solutions that work

Light pollution is reversible, and proven solutions are making a difference.

From International Dark Sky Places to DarkSky Approved lighting products, community lighting ordinances, and more, DarkSky’s conservation programs and policy work are helping communities reduce light pollution, restore natural darkness, and protect the night for future generations.

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.

Vibrant colorful sunset with starry skies, and silhouette of an observatory dome in the foreground.
Mont Mégantic, Canada. Credit: Rémi 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, as well as dark sky friendly outdoor lighting projects.

A workman in a hardhat, up high in a bucket truck, replaces a streetlight.
Streetlights being retrofitted with LEDs in Portland, OR, U.S.
People discussing outdoor lighting issues at a meeting.
WHat We Do

Public policy

We work with communities and governments to prioritize night sky protection and quality outdoor lighting.

WHat We Do

Education and outreach

We network globally to share information and expertise, and support local efforts though our volunteer Advocates.

WHat We Do

And more…

We collaborate widely, present a global conference for the dark sky movement, and award stellar exemplars.

Illustration of a globe with people icons and symbols swirling around.
Get Involved

Chapters near you

Our 65+ international chapters are at the forefront of the dark sky movement. Want to get involved? Find your local chapter:

Some of our partners

Our efforts are multiplied by many valuable partnerships around the world.