The IDA, a non-profit organization fighting to preserve the night sky, has recognized Beverly Shores, Ind. as the world's seventh International Dark Sky Community. (Above) ABSR Board and Environment Committee members, that contributed efforts toward the International Dark Sky Community designation, stand in front of the historic Beverly Shores train depot.
Photo: Bill Taylor

The International Dark Sky Association has named Beverly Shores, Ind. as the world's seventh International Dark Sky Community. "Beverly Shores is proof that small towns can do big things," said IDA Acting Executive Director Scott Kardel. "Their commitment to night sky preservation places them in an elite, but growing group of communities world-wide."

Beverly Shores is 5.83 square miles of land along the shoreline of Lake Michigan east of the greater Chicago area. Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, a park of the National Park Service, surrounds Beverly Shores to its east, west and south, and Lake Michigan is to its north.

Responsible outdoor lighting in Beverly Shores helps protect many species living in the Dunes. "The National Park Service applauds the progressive steps that the Town is taking to mitigate the effects of light pollution in the area and pledges its support to assist in making this a successful venture," said Garry M. Traynham, Acting Superintendent of Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore.

Residents have long been concerned about the effects of excess artificial light at night in Beverly Shores; the Town Council first adopted regulations on outdoor lighting in 1983. To help achieve accreditation from the IDA, the Council significantly expanded the provisions of the Town's lighting ordinance.

The Association of Beverly Shores Residents, under the leadership of Board and Environment Committee members Rosemary and Alan Bell, undertook an initiative to educate property owners about the importance of dark skies, providing examples of methods for retrofitting existing, poor-quality light fixtures.

ABSR President William S. Gilmer credits this collaborative community spirit for today's award. "The concerted efforts of our town government, community association, businesses and individual residents to reduce all sources of light pollution in our town have been an exemplary model of a community working together toward a primary goal," Gilmer said.

For more information about the IDA, please visit darksky.org.

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