Borrego Springs Designated "International Dark Sky Community" by IDA

Tucson, Arizona, July 31, 2009 – The International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) has designated the California village of Borrego Springs as the second International Dark Sky Community (IDSC). Located 88 miles northeast of San Diego in San Diego County, Borrego Springs offers a remote desert landscape within easy reach of urban centers.

IDSC certification recognizes Borrego Springs’ exceptional commitment to dark sky protection and restoration throughout the community. The IDSC program was established in 2001 by the IDA, a Tucson, AZ based non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the nighttime environment. Designees must adhere to stringent standards that protect the natural night sky and ensure the continuation of this protection through community directives.

Borrego Springs has long been a haven for stargazers, both professional and amateur. Rated by USA Today as one of the top ten stargazing locations in the nation, the community prides itself on its dedication to the whole desert experience.

Surrounded by the 600,000-acre Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, the community is uniquely protected from urban lights. It is the intention of the community that upon receiving the IDSC designation, officials continue their preservation of a dark sky by assisting California’s largest state park to achieve an International Dark Sky Park designation.

The committee responsible for the efforts in Borrego Springs is comprised of disparate vocations, including professional and amateur astronomy, natural history associations, and authors. “The application to the IDA [by Borrego Springs] really is a testament to their dedication for dark skies. By collaborating with all the key stakeholders, the committee was able to achieve broad community support, which is one of the key elements to this award,” said Kim Patten, Programs Director for the IDA.

“The efforts of the Borrego Springs Dark-Sky Coalition serve to involve the whole community in dark sky preservation through increased awareness, education, and availability of fixtures that better shield and direct light where it’s needed, while helping to save energy and keep the desert skies dark for stargazing, scientific study, and for all those who just enjoy the wonder of the night sky,” wrote Bill Horn, supervisor for the fifth district of the San Diego Board of Supervisors.

The IDA is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization dedicated to preserving and protecting the nighttime environment and our heritage of dark skies. Headquartered in Tucson, AZ with a branch office in Washington, DC and satellite offices in Hever, Belgium and Turramurra, Australia, IDA has membership in 70 countries.