Nevada City, Calif. — The City of Nevada City, in collaboration with the Nevada County Astronomers Club, invites the community to a special stargazing event on Sat., April 26, starting at 8 p.m. at Pioneer Park, located at 425 Nimrod St., meeting at the lower ballfield. Bring a chair, and please keep flashlight use to a minimum. The event will be canceled if there is rain or cloudy skies, so keep check our Dark Skies webpage for the latest at: NevadaCityCA.gov/DarkSkies

The event provides an opportunity for residents and visitors to “Discover the Night” in Nevada City and learn more about the importance of preserving our natural nighttime environment. A few telescopes will be available for attendees to observe the magnificence of the universe from Nevada City.

This free community gathering celebrates International Dark Sky Week and showcases the City’s ongoing efforts to become a dark sky community and commitment to responsible outdoor lighting practices, highlighted by the recent draft of a Dark Sky Ordinance.

“Our commitment to protecting the night sky goes beyond the night sky ordinance,” said City of Nevada City Planning Manager, Lisa McCandless. “This is a great way to share what we are doing with the community to make sure our night sky not only remains visible but improves over time.”

The City of Nevada City issued a proclamation on April 9th, formally recognizing International Dark Sky Week and reaffirming its dedication to minimizing light pollution. The proclamation emphasizes the importance of dark skies for ecological balance, human health, and energy conservation.

City of Nevada City Planning Commission Member Thomas Nigh shared his connection to the cause: “Having personally witnessed the increasing encroachment of light pollution over the years, I understand the profound importance of preserving our dark skies. This is not just about seeing more stars; it is about protecting nocturnal wildlife, conserving energy, and maintaining the unique character of our community for future generations.”

Here are a few actions for the community to take to support dark sky initiatives:

  • Use lighting responsibly by only using the amount required and needed
  • Use the lowest level of light required
  • Limit blue-violet light and choose warmer-colored bulbs or LED light fixtures 
  • Utilize timers and motion sensors
  • Use shielding on light fixtures to prevent glare

Residents are encouraged to attend the event and visit NevadaCityCA.gov/DarkSkies to view the City’s Dark Sky Week proclamation, draft ordinance, or for more information.