City of Liberty Hill applies for Dark Sky certification

On Nov. 20, the City of Liberty Hill officially submitted its application to become an International Dark Sky Community. 

An IDA International Dark Sky Community is a town, city, municipality or other legally organized community that has shown exceptional dedication to the preservation of the night sky through the implementation and enforcement of a quality outdoor lighting ordinance, dark sky education and citizen support of dark skies. Dark Sky Communities excel in their efforts to promote responsible lighting and dark sky stewardship, and they set good examples for surrounding communities. 

The entire application and approval process can take anywhere from one to three years. Most cities undergo three rounds of major revisions before certification is granted. The first round of comments from the International Dark Sky Association (IDA) is expected back within 45 days of the initial review. Once the nomination is deemed to be complete by the IDA, it will be submitted to the external Dark Sky Places Committee (DSPC) for the final review and endorsement. 

“Congratulations on this big step!” Dark Sky consultant Amy Jackson said. “The application is strong, thorough and shows the dedication that the City has for protecting the night sky. I believe that it will be well received by Dark Sky International.” 

Liberty Hill’s journey to protect the night sky began in 2020, when community members began raising concerns about the impact that light pollution was having on our town. Former Mayor Liz Branigan signed a resolution on August 24, 2022, declaring Liberty Hill’s intent to become a certified Dark Sky Community. Since then, City Council, Planning & Zoning Commission, staff, and the Save Our Stars volunteer group have worked rigorously with the community and local businesses to engage in community outreach, conduct a night sky quality survey, audit City facilities, write and revise ordinances, and begin retrofitting city-owned lighting.

Council Member Diane Williams stated “I am really proud and excited that our City has reached this major milestone in our efforts to save our night skies for future generations. This next step exemplifies our dedication to being a small town, with a big heart.”