Press Releases
Bruce Peninsula Biosphere Association
Dark Sky Project
This article was submitted to the Bruce Peninsula Press for their Dec 13th issue:
The night sky has begun! Wasn’t that the most wonderful display of northern lights!!! Our dark skies are the perfect backdrop.
The Municipality of the Northern Bruce has Joined the Party
Public Works Manager, Bill Rydall and his team have kept their promise and Kiersten Moore, our super efficient Public Works Administrative Assistant, reports that all the streetlights in Tobermory’s downtown core are now dark sky friendly. (See picture left) In fact, through Municipal staff efforts and Council leadership, conversions have accelerated so that we have moved from 37% of lights being dark sky friendly to 55 % in one year. Now that is cause to celebrate!
Owen Sound Transportation Company Is Dancing Too!
They have partnered with the Dark Sky Committee and stepped up their pace towards being a dark sky friendly company. General Manager Susan Schrempf has offered to have the conversion work we are planning together be the subject of a case study. So together, we choreographed some moves that the Dark Sky Committee can share with other companies that would like to adopt more dark sky friendly lighting practices. First, Dark Sky volunteer extraordinaire Rod Steinacher led the way by developing the routine needed to take the baseline light readings. 
One dark night, Rod, Doug Cunningham and myself did the light readings. Next Operations Manager Ian Deans arranged for the re-aiming of all the ferry parking lot lights so they light the ground not the sky. We will soon take another set of the light readings to determine the effect of the re-aiming on the light pollution. At the same time, we will use the light meter to determine if light levels can be safely reduced by using only one of the lights on the double masted fixtures. Susan and Ian are very supportive of this dark sky conversion initiative and Susan explained that “in the spring the pace will accelerate and all remaining lights will be converted to high pressure sodium. Dark sky lighting will save energy, cutting our costs and equally important will help to protect wildlife.”
The case study will focus on the cost benefit to companies of engaging in such work. To assist, the OSTC is even considering some minor wiring changes that will allow them to better isolate the lighting energy costs versus the energy costs of running the ship. We are also exploring the possibility of incorporating a star gazing program into select crossings to Manitoulin.
These changes coupled with those in the Municipal street lighting in Tobermory’s downtown core should be visible to all.
Hope you join the dance too and adopt dark sky friendly lighting practices!
Lion’s Head Star Party Central
Have you gone down recently to the Harbour at Lion’s Head? Did you see it on the shore north of the lighthouse? 
Our viewing platform has been completed! Builder Sheldon Weatherhead completed it in record time and showed a lot of patience with our constantly evolving design details. Sheldon and ACN Electrical provided in kind labour contributions as we were working with a very tight budget. Speaking of budgets, this project wouldn’t have happened without the support of Spruce the Bruce program, Municipal support and fundraising by the Biosphere. Thanks to Spruce the Bruce’s Kara Van Myall and Vicky Li for being so easy to work with and to Bill Jones, Chief Administrator Officer of the Municipality, Marydale Ashcroft of Lion’s Head Promotions Group and Councillor Tom Boyle for their support. Under tight deadlines, Dark Sky Committee members Don McIllraith, Ken Clark, Jim Kuellmer, Jeremy Thorn, Doug Cunningham, Tom Boyle and Rod Steinacher worked hard to make this viewing platform a reality. All made several trips to the site to discuss construction details and Ken developed the grant proposal that enabled us to qualify for the funding.
And, thank you to Facilities Manager, Marshall Taggart who danced double time –he came in on his holidays to give his advice on the platform’s location which was a tricky bit of footwork as we couldn’t interfere with municipal lines and needed to be behind the buildings to block the light from the parking lot etc. Harbour Master, Ken Hodge was also helpful re arranging boating masts, advising on setbacks to prevent ice damage etc.
Dark Sky Committee member and well-known astronomer Doug Cunningham very carefully considered all these constraints and marked the best spot for the concrete pad for the telescope, and Rod laid out the singularly appropriate “Leo” constellation in the concrete. What a great line dance!!!
This will be star party central for our summer Bayside Astronomy Program –part of the Bruce Peninsula Biosphere’s Association sustainable economic development initiatives. We hope to hire a student, to run the program creating our 14th environmentally related job for youth. We will be applying for a grant so wish us luck. We hope that the Bayside Astronomy Program will provide a sustainable impetus to local businesses as it will be useful in the day to view the “Lion’s Head” in the cliff and will cause our visitors to “linger longer in Lion’s Head” as by participating in our astronomy program they will need a place to stay overnight once they have enjoyed our starry skies.
We will be saying goodbye to Jessica McGarry, our Community engagement Co-ordinator in December as the Trillium grant is winding up and wish to thank her for dedication, inspired efforts and positive nature.
Elizabeth Thorn
Chair, Dark Sky Committee
Bruce Peninsula Environmental Group
This article has been updated and revised from the original submitted to the Bruce Peninsula Press for their Oct 4th issue:
Bayside Viewing Platform in Lion’s Head has been Built!
The Bruce Peninsula Biosphere Association is pleased to announce that a Bayside Viewing Platform in Lion’s Head has been completed. Designed in the shape of a ship’s bow, the platform will serve a dual purpose. It will be equipped with binoculars for daytime viewing and a telescope on many clear nights. Its location is to the left of the lighthouse, facing the bay in Lion’s Head.
By day, the platform will provide a wonderful photo opportunity with our sparkling, Caribbean-like waters and majestic cliffs, through a set of binoculars that will be provided through a grant obtained by the Lion’s Head Promotion Group. Visitors will be able to view the cliffs and have the answer to what tourist operators say is the most common question they receive, "Where is the lion’s head?" Onlookers can watch rock climbers scaling the cliffs, and will learn that Lion’s Head is one of the top destinations for this fast growing adventure sport. Through interpretive panels, newcomers can guess the age of our ancient cedars and will be amazed to learn that some are 1000 years old!
By night, our star-studded skies are the inspiration. The platform has a strong educative component and has been carefully positioned to facilitate viewing of the highlights of our night sky. Telescopic views will include the Rings of Saturn, the cloud decks and moons of Jupiter, the Pole Caps of Mars when it is close to Earth, the filamentous tails of comets, the lunar surface and spots on the surface of the Sun. The Moon is the oldest surface that a human can view, and as the lunation cycle proceeds, the telescopic views are different each night. Views of the lunar surface will reveal different mountains, craters, walled plains, ejecta fields, maria, rilles, ring mountains and even the location of some Apollo landing areas. The platform will present the perfect opportunity to provide a summer bayside astronomy program. Leo Major will be the program’s patron constellation.
In 2004, the Municipality of Northern Bruce Peninsula was designated as a Dark Sky community and is one of the very last places in Southern Ontario that still has dark skies. The Bruce Peninsula Biosphere Association (BPBA) and the Sources of Knowledge Committee have provided support for this project as part of their collaboration on a community wide Dark Skies project. The BPBA managed a residential light assessment program as an effort to maintain our natural night skies. It included free exterior light assessments and a subsidy up to $100 towards dark sky friendly fixtures, retrofits, timers and motion features available at local retailers, which minimize light pollution.
The Bayside Viewing Platform has been funded with thanks to the Municipality of Northern Bruce Peninsula and Spruce the Bruce, as a revitalization project which displays our unique community identity. It will provide one more way to enjoy Lion’s Head, by day or night.
By: Bruce Peninsula Biosphere Association, Dark Sky Committee
This is the original article that was submitted to the Bruce Peninsula Press for their Oct 4th issue:
Bayside Viewing Platform in Lion’s Head has been Approved!
The Bruce Peninsula Biosphere Association is pleased to announce that plans have been approved for a Bayside Viewing Platform in Lion’s Head. Designed in the shape of a ship’s bow, the platform will serve a dual purpose, equipped with binoculars for daytime viewing and a telescope at night. Its location will be to the left of the lighthouse, and facing the bay in Lion’s Head.
By day, the platform will provide a wonderful photo opp with our sparkling, Caribbean-like waters and majestic cliffs, through a set of binoculars that have been provided through a grant obtained by the Lion’s Head Promotion Group. Visitors will be able to view the cliffs and have the answer to what tourist operators say is the most common question they receive-Where is the lion’s head? Onlookers can watch rock climbers scaling the cliffs, and will learn that Lion’s Head is one of the top destinations for this fast growing adventure sport. Through interpretive panels, newcomers can guess the age of our ancient cedars and will be amazed to learn-around 1000 years old!
By night, our star-studded skies are the inspiration. The platform has a strong educative component and will be carefully positioned to view the highlights of our night sky. Telescopic views will include the Rings of Saturn, the cloud decks and moons of Jupiter, the Pole Caps of Mars when it is close to Earth, the filamentous tails of comets, the lunar surface and spots on the surface of the Sun. The Moon is the oldest surface that a human can view, and as the lunation cycle proceeds, the telescopic views are different each night. Views of the lunar surface will reveal different mountains, craters, walled plains, ejecta fields, maria, rilles, ring mountains and even the location of some Apollo landing areas. The platform will present the perfect opportunity to provide a summer bayside astronomy programme, and of course Leo Major will be the programme’s patron constellation.
In 2004, the Municipality of Northern Bruce Peninsula was designated as a Dark Sky community and is one of the very last places in Southern Ontario that still has dark skies. The Bruce Peninsula Biosphere Association (BPBA) and the Sources of Knowledge Committee have provided support for this project as part of their collaboration on a community wide Dark Skies project. The BPBA would like to announce that it has continued the residential light assessment program as an effort to maintain our natural night skies. Please contact Jessica McGarry at 519-387-4877 to book a free exterior light assessment. Assessments take about 30 minutes and can provide up to $100 towards dark sky friendly fixtures, retrofits, timers and motion features available at local retailers, which minimize light pollution.
The Bayside Viewing Platform has been funded with thanks to the Municipality of Northern Bruce Peninsula and Spruce the Bruce, as a revitalization project which displays our unique community identity. It will provide one more way to enjoy Lion’s Head, by day or night.
By: Bruce Peninsula Biosphere Association, Dark Sky Committee
This article was submitted to Friends of MacGregor
Point Provincial Park newsletter for their October issue:
Clear Skies Ahead
The Bruce Peninsula is one of the very last places in Southern Ontario that has minimal light pollution, attracting thousands of outdoor enthusiasts who travel to escape the city lights and to enjoy its Caribbean-like waters, cliffs and starry skies. Both of the Peninsula’s national parks are designated by the Royal Astronomical Society as Dark Sky Preserves, and the Municipality of Northern Bruce Peninsula is a dedicated Dark Sky community. You may be wondering, what is all the Dark Sky talk about, and why is it important?
Major benefits
of a natural night sky:
- Wildlife and Habitat Preservation - Animals require dark night skies and minimum excess artificial light to maintain biological cycles, foraging, predation and migration patterns. For example, MacGregor Point is an important migratory corridor for birds. A current phenomenon occurs when birds fly into light domes during the night, and because they can’t instinctually fly from an area of light to dark, they become trapped there, flying in circles all night. By morning, they have expended large amounts of energy, haven’t reached their destination, and have missed other important behaviours.
- Socio-Cultural – Starry skies are part of First Nations’ oral histories and so preserving these mean cultural enjoyment. Backyard astronomers and other nature enthusiasts enjoy viewing a truly starry sky, which is part of the Peninsula’s local culture.
- Economic – A dark sky promotes sustainable economic development and tourism/cottaging potential for millions who are within a good day’s drive to this premier dark sky destination.
- Safety Concerns – Glare from exterior lighting can create light contrast and shadows, which reduces visibility. Motion features in parking lots and public spaces can provide a form of alert not offered by areas which stay lighted all night.
- Energy Conservation - Billions of dollars are wasted each year in North America on excess light. Efficient lighting can reduce energy consumption by 50%, while still providing the same amount of visibility.
As a Homeowner, you can: Adjust your exterior lights! Ensure that lights point down, and if possible find fixtures in which the bulb is recessed up into the cap so that glare is reduced. Retrofit fixtures with timers or motion features to conserve energy. Buy bulbs which are yellow, soft or warm white in colour as they have a lighter impact on wildlife and attract fewer bugs. Consider using blinds at night and be aware of any ‘light trespass’ spilling onto your neigbour’s yard. Our goal is to reduce the overall area, duration and intensity of light.
Harvest Dinner at the new E.S. Fox Observatory, October 29th
“Keeping Alive the Sense of Wonder”- by renowned guest speaker/ astronomer Doug Cunningham. Doors open at 5pm for appetizers, drinks and silent auction. Dinner and live music at 6:30, and If weather permits, a visit to the observatory to follow. $50 per ticket- A fundraiser for the E.S. Fox Observatory project. More info at: bluewaterastronomy.info
Get involved with the Dark Skies project! The Bruce Peninsula Biosphere Association is recruiting volunteers to assist with the Dark Skies project. The Bruce Peninsula Biosphere Association was the first not-for-profit, community-based organization to implement the concepts of UNESCO World Biosphere Reserves along the Niagara Escarpment Biosphere. Our website is http://bpba.ca Please contact Jess McGarry, community engagement coordinator, at 519-387-4877.
Other Media Files
Applying Dark Sky Lighting Principles (.pdf 37.7KB)
Should Lighting Be Converted? A Questionaire (.pdf 51.0 KB)
Dark Sky Lighting Catalogue Is Now Available - April 6, 2011 Edition (.pdf 61.5 KB)
Sky Quality Metering Program - March 6, 2011 (3.96 MB)
Dark Sky Launch Article - May 24, 2011
Media Release - April 21, 2011
Municipal Street Lighting
Press Article - June 24, 2011
Good Neighbor Lighting - July 4, 2011
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