Looking to stargaze? This place just became Oregon’s first designated Dark Sky Place

Want to see fantastic stars? This Oregon community was just designated as the state’s only Dark Sky Place.

The Oregon chapter of the International Dark Sky Association announced Monday that Sunriver, Oregon, is the newest International Dark Sky Place. It’s the first recognized in the state and one of 142 recognized worldwide, including three in Idaho.

Sunriver is an unincorporated town in central Oregon and a popular tourist location for camping and resorts.

“We are honored that IDA has elected to welcome Sunriver into the IDA Dark Sky Places Program,” Keith Mobley, president of the Sunriver Owners Association Board of Directors, said in a news release. “And we are pleased that our ongoing efforts of the past 60 years to be one with nature are recognized now for our protection of pristine skies from light pollution.”

Becoming an International Dark Sky Place requires an application that “demonstrates robust community support for dark sky protection,” the International Dark-Sky Association said on its website.

“Upon certification, IDA works with certified places to promote their work through media relations, member communications, and social media,” IDA said. “An International Dark Sky Place designation helps enhance the visibility of designated locations and foster increased tourism and local economic activity.”

This story was originally published August 3, 2020 at 6:45 PM with the headline "Looking to stargaze? This place just became Oregon’s first designated Dark Sky Place."