Bruce Peninsula Biosphere Association

Established in 2000, it was the first Community Committee to implement UNESCO Biosphere concepts along the Niagara Escarpment The Bruce Peninsula is an important part of one of 15 World Biosphere Reserves in Canada - the Niagara Escarpment. The Bruce Peninsula is also one of the very last places in Southern Ontario that still has dark skies, so our most recent work has been with our Dark Skies pro

ject. We received funding in 2011 for a program in the Northern Bruce Peninsula that reached out to residents and asked them to think about how their homes’ exterior lighting impacts the area’s night skies and the environment. We provided an exterior light assessment program which was free and offered Northern Bruce residents up to $100 toward dark sky friendly options (fixtures, timers, motion features, and retrofits). The program was made possible through the support of the Ontario Trillium Foundation, Ridgewood Capital Asset Management and Scotia Private Equity Group. This dark sky program was successfully completed in November 2011. Since 2004, Northern Bruce Peninsula as a municipality has been committed to the preservation of dark skies and in 2009 the Bruce Peninsula National Park & Fathom 5 National Marine Park were jointly designated a dark sky preserve by the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada. There are five major benefits to a dark sky:

Wildlife and Habitat Preservation - Natural night skies are a part of habitat. Animals require dark night skies, and minimum excess artificial light to maintain biological cycles, predation, migration and foraging instincts. Socio-cultural – Starry skies are part of First Nations’ oral histories and so preserving these mean cultural enjoyment. Astronomers and other nature enthusiasts enjoy viewing a truly starry sky. Economic – A dark sky can be the basis for sustainable economic development and can enhance a region’s tourism/cottaging potential. Human health – Sleep related disorders can be caused by artificial night-time lighting which affects human circadian rhythm. Energy Conservation - Dark sky friendly lighting encourages lower energy consumption, as billions are wasted each year in North America on excess light. Human health and safety– Studies show that sleep related disorders can be caused by artificial nighttime lighting. On safety-Reducing glare can reduce contrast and shadows, which provide cover for invaders and wildlife. Motion features in parking lots and public spaces can provide a form of alert not offered by areas which stay lighted all night.