The Devils River Conservancy

Everyone deserves to see the Milky Way, but over 80% of Americans can’t see it from where they live! 💫

Experiencing nighttime darkness at a level that reveals the Milky Way has benefits for human health and wellbeing, optimizing our circadian rhythm for good sleep in addition to reminding us to look up every once in a while and breathe in the universe.

It also benefits wildlife: both those that are adapted to surviving and thriving in the dark, from bats to insects like moths and fireflies to migrating birds, and those that just need to get a good rest during the night too. Even plants rely on darkness to help regulate important cycles for leaf change, flower production, and more!

💡 How can you help?
The good news is light pollution is one of the easiest forms of pollution we can mitigate to restore a natural resource, unlike the often complex processes to recover from pollution of water or soil.

Check out the 5 Lighting Principles for Responsible Outdoor Lighting in the image below! ⬇️

As we continue celebrating International Dark Sky Week, take a ‘light walk’ around your property after dark and assess your outdoor lighting systems. Consider applying the 5 principles and becoming intentional with your home or business’s lighting, whether you’re in the city or the country, ensuring the night sky stays as dark and star-filled as possible for everyone to experience.

The 5 Principles were shared from resources provided by DarkSky Texas. For more information about preserving our night skies, visit darkskytexas.org.

1st Photo 📷: A sky full of stars at a ranch house in the Devils River Basin by Sam Carleton, 2026 DRC Photo Contest participant