BY KAREN BOSSICK

Local officials signed a Memorandum of Understanding this week confirming their collective commitment to address light pollution and support dark skies in Central Idaho.

Stanley Mayor Steve Botti, Ketchum Mayor Neil Bradshaw, Sun Valley Mayor Peter Hendricks, Blaine County Commissioner Angenie McCleary and Sawtooth National Forest Supervisor Jim DeMaagd marked the occasion at Ketchum City Hall, along with several dark sky enthusiasts.

The agreement marks the ongoing collaboration in managing the Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve.

The area around Sun Valley was designated the nation’s first such reserve in December 2017. But officials recognize that they can’t rest on their laurels.

They have to continue to work to ensure that the skies overhead remain dark enough that residents and visitors can enjoy extraordinary views of the Milky Way and other celestial views and that light pollution from local towns or from Twin Falls and Boise doesn’t interfere.

Nearly two decades of planning efforts and policy decisions went into establishing the reserve.

Want to know more? The Hailey Public Library will host a discussion on dark sky lighting basics featuring Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve member Carol Cole, McCleary and Hailey City Planner Lisa Horowitz at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 29.

And Astronomer Tim Frazier will talk about our summer constellations at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, June 6, at the library.

For more information, contact idahodarksky@gmail.com or call 208-352-3153.