Applegate After Dark (AAD) continues to grow community support for dark sky advocacy and action in southwest Oregon. Under the umbrella of the Applegate Partnership and Watershed Council, AAD recently received an innovation grant from "A Greater Applegate" to develop "rack cards" and to purchase dark sky compliant outdoor lightbulbs to distribute when we participate in local events. AAD is planning a binocular star party at a local winery later this spring. Visit our webpage for forthcoming details. https://www.applegatepartnership.org/applegateafterdark

Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument is working towards becoming an international dark sky park. Covering 144,000 acres of public land open year-round for stargazing, the monument boasts promising conditions for dark skies, supported by two years of SQM data. The Bureau of Land Management is enhancing this experience by replacing 45 exterior lights at the Hyatt Lake Recreation Area. Look for dark sky themed events at the monument in 2026!

Through Travel Oregon's Recreation Ready program, the Illinois Valley Chamber of Commerce has completed a Phase 1 Feasibility Report and is advancing the Gateway to the Stars initiative through Phase 2. There will be a strong focus on accessibility, community engagement, and partnership. We have secured an accessibility consultant to help guide inclusive design and have issued a Request for Quotes for a dark sky consultant to support best practices in night-sky stewardship. This phase will include robust community outreach and collaboration with key partners to ensure the project reflects shared priorities and delivers meaningful regional impact. Key partners include the City of Cave Junction, Main Street Cave Junction, Water League, Siskiyou Field Institute, and Travel Southern Oregon.

In 2026, we are aiming to become Dark Sky Lodging certified, and have already replaced all of our outdoor lights with dark sky compliant fixtures. We aim to develop Dark Sky programming, host star parties, and simply encourage dark sky lovers to stay here at the field station as a favorite spot for sky-watching. 

We have very dark skies and affordable public lodging options with vast, open access to the stars. We are in the process of renovating many of our units, as well as our main building too. All lodges include heat, potable water, full kitchens, and high-speed Wi-Fi. 

If you or your group would like to visit, develop a recreational or educational program, or bring a star party out to the field station, please reach out! Check out our website at http://www.malheurfieldstation.org. Email: malheurfieldstation@gmail.com | 541-493-2629 

The Dark Skies over Eagle Crest (Redmond, OR) committee offers no-pressure outdoor lighting assessments to residents. 

This year we will continue educational activities, as well as work with EC Management in response to the new outdoor lighting ordinance passed for Deschutes County unincorporated areas such as ours. 

Email ds@ridgeowners.org to get in touch with the Eagle Crest group.

The newly formed Bend Night Sky Alliance (BNSA) is actively working to protect Bend's night sky through multiple initiatives, collaborating with city officials and Pacific Power to identify and replace malfunctioning purple streetlights, addressing light trespass issues with community members, and advocating for updates to the city's outdated 2004 lighting ordinance. 

BNSA, a local sub-group of DarkSky Oregon, is dedicated to educating the community about dark sky issues and empowering residents with practical steps they can take to help preserve our night sky. 

In-person meetings are held monthly.

Email hello@darkskyoregon.org and mention an interest to connect with BNSA.

Lincoln City installed three Sky Quality Meters in the city last fall and Explore Lincoln City has begun gathering official night sky measurements. 

Phase 1 of our dark sky feasibility study will be completed shortly -- this includes: researching certification, reviewing city ordinances, community outreach and education, evaluating inventory of city lighting and partnering for events and programs. Explore Lincoln City will report that progress going forward.