West Windsor Becomes First Vermont Town to Issue Dark Sky Week Proclamation

West Windsor has become the first town in Vermont to officially recognize International Dark Sky Week. On March 24, 2025, the West Windsor Selectboard unanimously approved a proclamation declaring April 21-28, 2025 as International Dark Sky Week in the town.

The proclamation, requested by the West Windsor Sustainability Committee (WWSC), aims to raise awareness about light pollution and promote responsible outdoor lighting practices. Susan Yost, representing the committee, presented the request to the Selectboard, explaining that this initiative aligns with the WWSC's 2025 goal of promoting responsible outdoor lighting to protect birds and insects.

"We are the first town in Vermont to issue such a proclamation," noted the West Windsor Sustainability Committee during their March 26 meeting. "We received congratulations from Dark Sky Vermont and the president of Stellafane in Springfield." Stellafane, located in Springfield, Vermont, is a historic amateur astronomy organization with roots dating back to 1920.

The proclamation acknowledges several important aspects of dark sky preservation :

• The aesthetic beauty and wonder of a natural night sky as a shared heritage
• The scientific evidence of economic and environmental consequences of light pollution
• The fact that 80 percent of the world's population lives under light pollution
• The waste of natural resources amounting to roughly $3 billion per year in wasted energy in the United States
• The presence of nocturnal wildlife in West Windsor that relies on undisturbed night environments

The initiative is part of a broader sustainability effort in West Windsor. The WWSC has been actively promoting dark sky awareness through various events, including a "Magnificent Migration" presentation by the Vermont Institute of Natural Science (VINS) on March 22, which served as the initial event of their campaign.

The committee is also exploring the possibility of hosting star-gazing events during Dark Sky Week, noting that the new moon phase during that week will provide particularly dark skies ideal for astronomical observation.

In addition to the proclamation, the WWSC is working on other dark sky initiatives, including collaborating with Albert Bridge School to implement more dark sky-friendly lighting. The committee has also been in contact with Efficiency Vermont regarding responsible lighting design.

The Selectboard encourages West Windsor residents to observe International Dark Sky Week by limiting unnecessary outdoor lighting. Information about the proclamation has been published in the West Windsor Weekly and posted on the town website. The proclamation can be found here:

This initiative demonstrates how towns can take leadership roles in environmental awareness efforts, potentially inspiring neighboring towns to follow suit with similar proclamations.