News
Night Sky Month News
Every year, dozens of counties, communities, and organizations recognize Night Sky Month with proclamations and outreach on our scenic, starry skies. Explore recent and past coverage of Night Sky Month below.
Missing something? These are non-exhaustive lists of coverage across the Hill Country that will continue to be updated. If we missed something relevant in your part of the Hill Country, or if you have suggestions on additional outreach we should share, please contact Dawn@hillcountryalliance.org.
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Proclamations 2023
With support from the Kerr County Friends of the Night Sky, Kerrville City Council proclaimed October 2023 as Hill Country Night Sky Month (October 5, 2023)
Press Releases 2023
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Media Coverage 2023
Solar ‘ring of fire’ viewing offered on Saturday (Lampasas Dispatch Record – October 9, 2023).
Celebrate Hill Country Night Sky Month (Lampasas Dispatch Record – October 10, 2023).
Proclamations Archive
With support from the Kendall County Friends of the Night Sky, the Bexar Audubon Society Night Sky Month Proclamation was signed by Patsy Inglet, President. (August 13, 2020)
With support from the Kendall County Friends of the Night Sky, the Boerne Independent School District BISD Night Sky Month Proclamation was signed by BISD Board President, Maritza Gonzalez-Cooper. (August 18, 2020)
The City of Dripping Springs, TX, City of Dripping Springs Night Sky Month Proclamation was signed by Mayor Bill Foulds, Jr. (September 8, 2020)
With support from the Blanco County Friends of the Night Sky, the City of Blanco, TX City of Blanco Night Sky Month Proclamation was signed by Martin Sauceda, Mayor Pro-Tem. (September 9, 2020)
With support from the Wimberley Parks and Recreation Department and the Wimberley Valley Dark Sky Committee, the City of Wimberley Night Sky Month Proclamation was signed by the Wimberley City Council (September 17, 2020).
The City of Horseshoe Bay, TX, City of Horseshoe Bay, Night Sky Month Proclamation was signed by Mayor Cynthia Clinesmith. (September 22, 2020)
The City of Fredericksburg, TX, City of Fredericksburg, Night Sky Month Proclamation was signed by Mayor Gary Neffendorf. (September 21, 2020)
With support from Friends of the Hays County Night Sky, The city of Dripping Springs, and the Wimberley Valley Dark Sky Committee, the Hays County Commissioners Court signed the Hill Country Night Sky Month Proclamation (September 27, 2020).
With support from the Bandera County Friends of the Night Sky, Bandera County Night Sky Month Proclamation was signed. (September 28, 2020)
The Kerr County Commissioners Court, Kerr County Night Sky Month Proclamation was signed by the Honorable Rob Kelly, Kerr County Judge.(September 28, 2020)
The Real County Commissioners Court, Real County Night Sky Month Proclamation was signed by the Judge Bella A. Rubio (September 29, 2020)
With support from the Travis County Friends of the Night Sky, The City of Austin Night Sky Month Proclamation was signed. (October 1, 2020)
With support from the Comal County Friends of the Night Sky, the Comal County Commissioners Court, Comal County Night Sky Month Proclamation was signed. (October 1, 2020)
With support from the Comal County Friends of the Night Sky, the City of Garden Ridge, City of Garden Ridge Night Sky Month Proclamation was signed. (October 6, 2020)
With support from the Kerr County Friends of the Night Sky, the city of Ingram, TX, City of Ingram Night Sky Month Proclamation was signed. (October 6, 2020)
With support from the Kerr Country Friends of the Night Sky, UBarU Camp and Retreat Center Night Sky Month Proclamation was signed. (October 6, 2020)
With support from the Hays Country Friends of the Night Sky, the City of Buda Night Sky Month Proclamation was signed by Mayor George Haehn. (October 7, 2020)
The City of Kerrville, City of Kerrville Night Sky Month Proclamation was signed by Kerrville Mayor Bill Blackburn.(October 14, 2020)
The Alamo Area Council of Governments, Night Sky Month Proclamation was signed (October, 2020)
The Bandera County Commissioners Court, Night Sky Month Proclamation was signed (October, 2020)
The Blanco County Commissioners Court, Night Sky Month Proclamation was signed (October, 2020)
The Kendall County Commissioners Court, Night Sky Month Proclamation was signed (October, 2020)
The Kerr County Commissioners Court, Night Sky Month Proclamation was signed (October, 2020)
The Travis County Commissioners Court, Night Sky Month Proclamation was signed (October, 2020)
The City of Boerne, Night Sky Month Proclamation was signed (October, 2020)
The City of Bulverde, Night Sky Month Proclamation was signed (October, 2020)
The City of Castroville, Night Sky Month Proclamation was signed (October, 2020)
The City of Gillespie, Night Sky Month Proclamation was signed (October, 2020)
The City of Johnson City, Night Sky Month Proclamation was signed (October, 2020)
The City of Kyle, Night Sky Month Proclamation was signed (October 6, 2020)
The City of San Marcos, Night Sky Month Proclamation was signed (October, 2020)
The City of Spring Branch, Night Sky Month Proclamation was signed (October, 2020)
The City of Wimberley, Night Sky Month Proclamation was signed (October, 2020)
Press Releases Archive
River Hill Neighborhood Association Hill Country Night Sky Month Press Release (September 30, 2020).
City of Kerrville Hill Country Night Sky Month Press Release (October 14, 2020).
Blanco County Friends of the Night Sky Blanco Market Days Press Release (October 17, 2020)
Media Coverage Archive
Celebrate the starry skies! (September 22, 2020).
October is Night Sky Month with plenty to see (September 25, 2020).
Gracias and do look up! (October 7, 2020).
Look up after dark to see the show (October 9, 2020).
Hill Country Alliance’s Inaugural Night Sky Month kicks off October with a Harvest Moon (October 12, 2020).
Two groups encourage lights out for human and bird benefits. (October 13, 2020).
Did you know?
Approximately 30% of the energy cost powering unshielded bulbs is uselessly illuminating the night sky. This wasted energy costs $2.2 billion annually in the United States and contributes to light pollution and the steady loss of a treasured Hill Country resource – our brilliant starry skies.
Here in the Hill Country, we believe the best way to preserve our night skies is through community involvement. Click the button below to find a Friends of the Night Sky group in your region, become a Night Sky Steward, and learn more about our Night Sky Friendly Business and Neighborhood Recognition Programs.
Recent Night Sky News:
Black Gap Wildlife Management Area designated as an International Dark Sky Sanctuary
BREWSTER COUNTY – The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) is proud to announce that Black Gap Wildlife Management Area (WMA) has been designated as an International Dark Sky Sanctuary by the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA). Black Gap WMA is the second...
Travis County goes Lights Out for migratory birds
Lights Out Texas is a campaign of education, awareness, and action that focuses on turning out lights at night during the spring and fall migrations to help protect the billions of migratory birds that fly over Texas annually. The goal of Lights Out Texas is to reduce...
County to turn off lights in summer and fall to protect songbirds
The Travis County Commissioners Court passed a resolution Tuesday that will mandate county buildings to turn off all nonessential lights from 11 p.m.-6 a.m. during key migration periods for migrating songbirds. The Lights Off initiative will be in effect annually from...
Where dark skies draw star-gazers, wildfire smoke spoils the view
GREAT SAND DUNES NATIONAL PARK — The high, lonesome dunes that run up against the Rocky Mountains at 7,500 feet above sea level in southern Colorado are a long, long drive from the closest streetlight, and after dusk, the almost untainted darkness and thin, dry air...
Hill Country Night Sky Month is a Hill Country Alliance event.
The Hill Country Alliance is a nonprofit organization whose purpose is to raise public awareness and build community support around the need to preserve the natural resources and heritage of the Central Texas Hill Country.