Nestled in the rugged beauty of the Siskiyou Mountains, Oregon Caves National Monument and Preserve offers a journey through time and space—both beneath the earth’s surface and under its dazzling night skies. Located in southern Oregon, this 4,554-acre sanctuary protects a labyrinth of marble caves and an expansive wilderness teeming with biodiversity, where endangered and endemic species flourish in old-growth forests. The Park’s unique ecosystem is a testament to the region’s rich geologic history, a saga of shifting mountains, evolving climates, and thriving life.

For this episode of Let's Get Out There, our Matt Zaffino traveled to a place in south-central Oregon known as the "Oregon Outback."

Lighting the Way: DarkSkyGorge Preserves Columbia River Gorge's Night Sky

A new group of dark sky lovers is now protecting the night in the Columbia River Gorge. Appropriately named DarkSkyGorge (DSG), this group began this past February with two persons – Mike Hendricks of Hood River and Mike McKeag of Mosier – and now has almost 80 members. Many of the new members join as a result of hearing from friends.

Even though the group is new, DarkSkyGorge is working hard on two important fronts. First, a new bridge is being designed to cross the Columbia River from Hood River to White Salmon, and DSG is urging the Bridge Commission and its Aesthetic Committee to keep any bridge lighting within dark sky principles. An important design document will appear this summer, but it’s encouraging that dark sky language has already appeared on official bridge materials and in a public forum. DarkSkyGorge’s second activity involves the city of Hood River, which is beginning a year-long update of its city development codes. The city planning department recognizes that the current codes say very little about outdoor lighting, and they – along with some elected Hood River officials – are inviting DSG to participate in the code review and to offer suggestions. Thanks goes to dark sky advocates in Sisters for providing a powerful model and

motivator.

It’s early on each of these fronts, but DarkSkyGorge is staying in touch with the decision makers on each project and actively monitoring next steps. If you would like to join their efforts – or perhaps start a local group in your area .

To learn more- email: DarkSkyGorge@gmail.com