Enjoying and Conserving Night Skies with Matt Crosbie, Ben Gamble, and Tim Morey

“The dark night sky is every bit a piece of wilderness to me as the howl of a wolf or the call of a loon.”

Matt Crosbie and Ben Gamble of the Bureau of Forestry and Tim Morey of the Bureau of State Parks join our host, Marci Mowery, to explore the side of Pennsylvania’s outdoors that comes alive after sunset.

Dark skies are far more than a pretty backdrop. They actually ensure nature is on the right track!

Artificial light comes with an ecological toll, such as confused migrating birds, insects drawn to lights they rarely survive, and frogs that change their calls. For us humans, light at night also disrupts melatonin and sleep.

: Mark Brown Outdoor Rec Bald Eagle SP

: Jiang Ming Nature’s Colors Cherry Springs

Thankfully, it doesn’t take much to fix light pollution. Thanks to the initiative of our guests, some natural gas companies have begun putting compressor station lights on timers. Also, the town of Galeton has chosen to install fully shielded, downward-facing streetlights.

Finally, state parks are now drafting lighting zones so some areas stay dark by design. Motion-activated lights and cameras can answer security worries without all-night glare.

And of course, we can all do our part, from switching off the porch light, killing the headlights when we don’t need them, carrying smaller flashlights, and getting comfortable in the dark!

Key Topics:

Why Dark Skies Are Good for Us (6:08)
Negative Effects of Artificial Light on Our Bodies (11:29)
Sky Glow Travels Farther Than You Think (16:34)
Wild Character and the Case for Quiet (21:12)
Working with Local Industries and Communities to Reduce Light Pollution (25:25)
Where to Stargaze Across Pennsylvania (35:57)
The Easiest Things You Can Do to Reduce Light Pollution (42:00)
Crossing the Pacific Under the Milky Way (48:54)

Resources:

🎧 Listen to the Think Outside Podcast on Spotify, Apple, or your favorite app while on the go! New episodes drop bi-weekly on Mondays, and you may occasionally find a bonus episode, as well!

The Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation inspires stewardship of YOUR state parks and forests through volunteerism, education, recreation, and philanthropy.

Enjoying and Conserving Night Skies with Matt Crosbie, Ben Gamble, and Tim Morey

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Enjoying and Conserving Night Skies with Matt Crosbie, Ben Gamble, and Tim Morey