Nashville Dark Skies

 

Nashville Dark Skies

Early April 2021

Shared by Councilwoman Burkley Allen & Heather Gallagher, Naturalist

burkley.allen@nashville.gov & heather.gallagher@nashville.gov

Photos by Kim Bailey, Theo Wellington and Nature Center Archives

 

Nighttime is the right time for wildlife and humans alike. And spring is the right time to get out and enjoy the many nocturnal animals that come alive. Here are just a few!

The often-seen Barred Owl has a familiar "who cooks for you" call. 

American Toads are trilling in the Nature Center pond right now! 

Pickerel frogs were recently discovered in Warner Parks. Their call sounds more like a groan! Photo credit Kim Bailey. 

Throughout the year, the Nature Center offers programming to encourage nocturnal exploration of the Park. Our seasonal star parties, in partnership with Barnard-Seyfert Astronomical Society, allow for an astronomer’s view of the night sky.

Star Party at the Edwin Warner Model Airplane Field by Theo Wellington

Though during the pandemic, a star party has looked more like this:

The Tennessee Virtual Star Party took place on YouTube last July and again in February, sharing the night sky across the state with thousands of viewers. 

And we truly miss our evening programs that partner with urban community centers, bringing youth aged 8-12 to Warner Park for a camp experience. On a warm, summer night, naturalists point out such features as the summer triangle and Jupiter and Saturn and recite stories of pirates and early settlers in the Bellevue area.

What do all of these activities have in common? Dark, night skies. Darkness is key to the life cycle of so many of our beloved insects, amphibians and birds. Darkness is key to observing planets and other celestial objects. And darkness is key to a campfire with your friends.  

The Audubon Society is partnering with the International Dark Sky Association to protect the night sky for birds and people. Read more about this effort and how you can get involved here. 

Photo credit https://www.aquinascollege.edu/nashville-skyline-at-night/

Live in Nashville? Metro Council is considering legislation that will help make architects and lighting designers more aware of how exterior building lighting, parking lot lighting, and road lighting can obscure the night sky if they are not carefully designed and controlled.  The legislation would provide standards for lighting levels, lighting direction, and lighting controls for new construction.  This will begin to reduce light pollution and help make the constellations visible again.  Bringing back the night school is better for our environment, our health, and our psyche.  

Please write your council member at  https://www.nashville.gov/Metro-Council/Contact-Council-Members.aspx  and ask them to support BL2020-535.