When I was growing up in the North End, my mom, brother, and I would often go on “full moon hikes” in the Boise foothills. With only the moon to light our way, we would scramble through the sagebrush, chasing each other and delighting in the small animals we would see scurrying into their burrows. Left to my own devices, I would lay on the soft ground, staring up at the moon and stars, riveted by the vast expanse of stars and nebulas that seemed to crowd every inch of my vision. The sky didn’t seem dark and empty at all, but instead luminous and alive, teeming with shooting stars and blinking satellites.
These days, I have to go further than Hull’s Gulch to experience awe-inspiring celestial bodies. Last month, my boyfriend and I towed our beloved popup camper out to a patch of public land outside of Stanley to see for ourselves what a truly dark sky looks like. After we finished dinner, we sat quietly in our camp chairs, watching the stars peek out from behind the rugged, still snow capped peaks of the Sawtooth Mountains. We didn’t wait for long. Soon, the sky was awash with the pale glow of the Milky Way. Satellites brighter than any planet zoomed across the sky, accented by the occasional shooting star. The landscape melted into the sky, and I was reminded (as I always am when I stray outside of the boundaries of civilization) of the interconnectedness and beauty of the natural world. When I awoke the next morning to a gentle breeze and the sound of birdsong, my head was still swimming with stars. As we hitched up the camper and made our way home, I felt incredibly fortunate to have such pristine night skies a mere three hour drive away from Boise.
We didn’t just choose this location out of a hat; Stanley sits on what is called the Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve. In 2017, The International Dark-Sky Association awarded this 900,00 acre reserve in the Sawtooth Mountain range gold-tier status — their highest ranking. While Idahoans know that our dark skies are the envy of the world, this designation made it official. This achievement was the result of a 20-year long campaign of advocacy and collaboration between business owners, private landowners, scientists, and community organizers.
Carol Cole, president of the Idaho Dark Sky Alliance, credits much of the Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve’s designation to Dr. Steven Pauley, affectionately known as “Dr. Dark.” “[Pauley] was one person who was integral in getting all of the ordinances for the cities and the county lined up,” she said. “He had done a lot of work in those decades before to just get the word out about how important dark night skies are for us and for wildlife, and to talk about the impacts of light pollution. Without having that groundwork in place, it would have been a much longer process than just the two years.” Thanks to Dr. Pauley’s decades of dedication and early advocacy, the foundation was firmly laid for the successful establishment of the Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve.
Currently, the reserve is managed by a volunteer board that acts as a liaison between the surrounding cities and the dark sky organization. They help policy makers in Ketchum, Sun Valley, Stanley, and Hailey understand what regulations need to be in place to ensure that the reserve maintains its gold-tier status. “Any buildings that are built, commercial or residential, that go through the building permit process have to meet those dark sky requirements for lighting,” said Cole. Still, the greatest threat comes from growing light pollution in the Treasure Valley and Magic Valley, where expanding development risks undermining the reserve’s protection.
In order to educate the public about the importance of limiting light pollution, the Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve makes an appearance at a variety of community events in the Stanley area. Music festivals, farmers markets, and Earth Day events are all crucial outreach opportunities for the reserve. “When we have our booth there, we’re informing people that they can do something about (light pollution) fairly easily. You can just turn out a light,” said Cole. These events not only raise awareness but also inspire a sense of shared responsibility, reminding community members that reducing light pollution starts with simple, everyday solutions.
Without a concerted human effort, we run the risk of losing dark skies forever. A 2022 report found that globally, light pollution is increasing by 10% each year, meaning our night skies double in brightness every decade. Preserving dark skies is not just about nostalgia for childhood stargazing — it’s about safeguarding our connection to the natural world and protecting vital ecosystems. The success of the Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve proves that community-led action and persistent advocacy can lead to successful conservation programs. As light pollution continues to threaten our dark skies, we must all recognize our role in preserving the night. Whether by supporting dark sky initiatives, using responsible lighting, or simply stepping outside to look up and remember what’s at stake, we all have a part to play in ensuring future generations can experience the night sky the way our ancestors did.