Dark Skies and Bright Stars

Beaver Island named an International Dark Sky Sanctuary

April 13, 2024

You may know Emmet County is home to Headlands International Dark Sky Park, where uninterrupted Lake Michigan shoreline is protected not just from development, but also from the light pollution that blocks out the stars (or the northern lights!). Now, our area has added another Dark Sky feather to our cap: the Michigan State Wildlife Research Area on Beaver Island has been named an International Dark Sky Sanctuary, the first of its kind in the state. Home to 9,425.5 acres of land, the new sanctuary is home to several important and fragile ecosystems. Peaine Township Supervisor Maria Dal Pra calls the certification “a commitment to preserving the natural beauty and nocturnal environment of our island” that will protect “natural habitats and natural heritage for future generations.” Learn more about DarkSky International at darksky.org.