Kickapoo Valley Dark Sky Initiative

KVDSI started in 2020 as a community effort to get over 13,000 acres of public land in the Kickapoo Valley designated as an International Dark Sky Park. Unfortunately, by the time we completed the application process for this designation in 2023, light pollution in this area had worsened so much that we were no longer eligible for this recognition. So, rather than give up, we decided to form an official 501c3 (awarded December 2024) and change our focus to work to regain our dark skies through education and practical action in the Kickapoo Valley and beyond. Our official mission as stated in our Articles of Incorporation is as follows: Section 1.2 Purpose. The purpose will be to protect the night sky, Earth, and all life forms from light pollution by (a) acting to reverse light pollution by advocating for responsible outdoor lighting, (b) establishing and cultivating strategic partnerships with State and local governments, community residents, organizations, businesses, and experts knowledgeable in science, engineering, and related issues, (c) creating public awareness, acceptance, and adherence to the use of outdoor fixtures that minimize light pollution, (d) advocating for the inclusion of control capabilities in all new and retrofit installations, such as dimming, motion, time control and other possible technologies, (e) taking actions to protect and preserve dark skies through assisting governments and non-profit organizations with installation of lights, fixture adaptions, and new fixtures and other such similar actions, and (f) other such actions which will help to renew and preserve the night sky.

Kickapoo Valley Dark Skies Initiative believes that light pollution wastes energy, costs money, may decrease safety and has negative impacts on the environment, plants and animals, including humans. We are working to raise awareness of this issue and reduce light pollution in the Driftless area and beyond. We do this through education in the form of presentations to community and professional groups, newspaper articles, radio programs, website and events. In addition, we act as a resource to individuals, organizations, businesses and communities that are interested in making responsible choices regarding artificial light at night through education, assisting with appropriate new and replacement lighting choices, and developing policies that help protect our night skies.