Celebrating Biodiversity Week with Dark Sky Ireland

Celebrating Biodiversity Week with Dark Sky Ireland

Time: 8pm
Location: The Organic Centre, Rossinver, Co. Leitrim

As part of Biodiversity Week, we invite you to join us for a special event at The Organic Centre, where we’ll delve into the fascinating world of our night skies and explore why it’s so important to protect these invaluable natural resources.

Event Highlights:

A Presentation by Georgia MacMillan, Director of Dark Sky Ireland
Georgia MacMillan, the Director of Dark Sky Ireland, will guide us through a captivating presentation on our Dark Sky Heritage in Ireland. She will explain the significance of preserving these precious skies and the detrimental impact that light pollution is having on our biodiversity, nocturnal wildlife, and our health and well-being.

Understanding Light Pollution
Light pollution is the only form of pollution not legislated in Ireland, and Georgia will discuss how it affects not just our skies, but also the natural world around us. From disrupted animal behaviours to impacts on our sleep cycles, light pollution has a profound effect on all life forms. Georgia will explain the different forms of light pollution and how we can come together as communities to reduce its harmful effects.

A Call for Legislation
Dark Sky Ireland is on a mission to engage policymakers to create meaningful legislation to protect Ireland's night skies. Georgia will outline how Dark Sky Tourism can play a significant role in fostering economic benefits for communities, particularly during off-peak seasons. By creating and preserving dark sky areas, communities can enjoy a boost to local economies through increased tourism, all while contributing to the protection of our natural environment.

Dark Sky Walk
Weather permitting, we will embark on a Dark Sky Walk through the stunning landscape of The Organic Centre. As night falls, we’ll immerse ourselves in nature and experience the peace and beauty of the night. If the skies are clear, we’ll take time for a little star-gazing and learn about the constellations that light up our skies.

About Dark Sky Ireland:

Dark Sky Ireland is dedicated to preserving and enhancing Ireland’s natural nocturnal environment, through advocacy, education, and working with communities and policymakers. Their work focuses on reducing light pollution, advocating for protective legislation, and promoting Dark Sky Tourism as an eco-friendly economic opportunity. By preserving dark skies, they aim to protect both biodiversity and human health, while offering unique experiences for all to enjoy.

About Georgia MacMillan:

Georgia MacMillan is a passionate advocate for the preservation of dark skies and a Director of Dark Sky Ireland. She is also the Development Officer at Mayo Dark Sky Park, one of Ireland’s three accredited dark sky locations. Georgia is dedicated to reducing light pollution, raising awareness about its impacts on biodiversity, human health, and the economy. With her deep knowledge of dark sky protection and her experience in community engagement, Georgia works tirelessly to promote sustainable lighting practices, bring about meaningful change and encourage Dark Sky Tourism as a sustainable economic boost for rural communities.