Item B2 B2
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
COUNTY of MONROE i Mayor Holly Merrill Raschein,District 5
The Florida Keys Mayor Pro Tern James K.Scholl,District 3
Craig Cates,District 1
Michelle Lincoln,District 2
' David Rice,District 4
Board of County Commissioners Meeting
March 20, 2024
Agenda Item Number: B2
2023-2208
BULK ITEM: No DEPARTMENT: Commissioners Aid
TIME APPROXIMATE: STAFF CONTACT: Corie Abel
Beginning of meeting
AGENDA ITEM WORDING: Proclamation of April 2024 as Dark Sky Month in Monroe County.
ITEM BACKGROUND:
Light pollution continues to increase in the US, including Monroe
County. For this reason the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners wishes to proclaim April
2024 Dark Sky Month.
PREVIOUS RELEVANT BOCC ACTION:
N/A
INSURANCE REQUIRED:
No
CONTRACT/AGREEMENT CHANGES:
N/A
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: N/A
DOCUMENTATION:
2024-EvergladesDark-Skies proclamation (002).docx
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
N/A
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PROCLAMATION FOR
EVERGLADES DARK SKY MONTH 2O24
WHEREAS,the beauty and wonder of a natural night sky is a shared heritage of all humankind that inspires feelings
of wonder and awe,and encourages interest in the sciences,technology,engineering,arts,and math(STEAM),
including among young people living in Monroe County;and
WHEREAS,"light pollution"is artificial light with adverse impacts to the environment,especially at night,and
includes excessive light that causes glare and trespass,disrupts ecosystems,wastes natural resources,energy,and
money;and has scientifically established economic and environmental consequences that significantly impact the
wildlife and human health of all communities;and
WHEREAS,many residents in our region live under a dome of light pollution and are not able to fully enjoy the
cultural,recreational,ecological and health benefits of a naturally lit nocturnal environment and night sky in their own
communities;and
WHEREAS,the opportunity to view star-filled skies over Everglades National Park,Big Cypress National Preserve,
Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park,Florida Keys,and other areas of the Greater Everglades with limited light
pollution,attracts tourists and gives pride and economic benefit to Monroe County;and
WHEREAS,within the Greater Everglades,two International Dark Sky Places(Big Cypress National Preserve and
Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park)earned their designations in 2016 and are facing the threat of losing their
natural nights to skyglow as cities sprawl with increasingly more excessive artificial light sources;and
WHEREAS,light pollution impacts many wildlife species in our region,including sea turtles nesting along our
coastlines,birds migrating through the Atlantic flyway,fireflies twinkling within the Everglades and bats foraging in
darker areas that remain in the Florida Keys and South Florida;and
WHEREAS,the US Fish and Wildlife Service(FWS)has recognized that due to the"loss of night sky quality"to
light pollution,the night sky resource has become"nationally significant"'and
WHEREAS,according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission(FWC),"artificial lighting is
another form of habitat loss"as more lighting encroaches and diminishes dark areas to fewer and further in between,
affecting both diurnal and nocturnal wildlife species,and"even human beings are not immune to the effects of
artificial light,2;and
WHEREAS,protecting the night,sky and quality of the nocturnal environment provides many benefits to Monroe
County communities,including neighborhood livability,safety;quality of life,and access to nature;and
WHEREAS,solving the problem of light pollution requires educating governments,communities,businesses,and
citizens;and;encouraging neighbor and ecology friendly lighting best practices that are effective in preventing and
reducing light pollution in all its forms;and
WHEREAS,Dark Sky;International has designated April 2 through April 8,2024,as"International Dark Sky Week
2024"to draw awareness to light pollution,its far-reaching impacts,and solutions to mitigate it;and
WHEREAS,Monroe County wishes to extend awareness during all of April 2024 to encourage ample and broader
opportunities for public participation,
NOW,THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED BY THE Monroe County Board of County Commissioners:
1. This April 2024 is hereby declared as"Everglades Dark Sky Month;and
2. Monroe County encourages residents,businesses,visitors,employees and neighbors to Discover,Celebrate
and Protect the Night,starry skies and the natural nocturnal environment within the Greater Everglades for the
good of people,wildlife,ecosystems and climate.
USFWS Dark Skies Initiative,https://www.fNvs.gov/project/dark-skies-initiative
2"About Lighting Pollution",FWC,https://myfNvc.com/conservation/you-conserve/lighting/pollution
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