3225 North First Avenue
Tucson, AZ 85719, USA
tel +1 520.293.3198
fax +1 520.293.3192
www.darksky.org
ida@darksky.org
IDA Offices
Washington, DC, USA | Hever, Belgium | Turramurra, New South Wales, Australia
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact:
Kim Patten, Programs Director, IDA Gil Bartee, VP Development
Telephone: +1 520 293 3198 x 411 Telephone: +1 817 975 8736
Fax: +1 520 293 3192 Email: giba@jmkint.com
Email: kim@darksky.org Web site: www.sierralarana.com
Web site: www.darksky.org
Sierra La Rana Recognized for Dedication to Dark Skies
Tucson, Arizona
The International Dark-Sky Association is pleased to announce the designation of the Dark Sky Friendly Development of Distinction to Sierra La Rana, located in the Big Bend Region of Texas. The Dark Sky Development of Distinction Award is a new award designated by IDA to promote subdivisions, master planned communities, and unincorporated townships whose planning actively promotes a more natural night sky but does not qualify for the International Dark Sky Community (IDS Community) award. This award differs from the IDS Community designation in that it is applicable to smaller, unincorporated areas and emphasizes planning and enforcement over initial sky quality (although great sky quality is a definite bonus). In order to qualify for the award, developments must have a comprehensive lighting scheme, exhibit developer and resident commitment to night sky protection, and achieve success in light pollution control.
Sierra La Rana boasts an Astronomy Village with astronomy-specific deed restrictions and light pollution controls to maintain observational quality of the Village. The Village itself consists of nine parcels, and a common viewing area with concrete telescope pads, electricity, and picnic tables. Boasting an outstanding naked-eye limiting magnitude to 7.0 that allows viewing of typically invisible stars, the development area and Big Bend region has been home to the Texas Star Party since 1976
David L. Lambert, Director of McDonald Observatory, added his affirmation of the development “The work and standards to which the owners, developers, and future residents of Sierra la Rana are committing themselves will not only help maintain McDonald Observatory’
Gil Bartee, Vice President of Development for Sierra la Rana, is proud to receive the designation “As a recipient of this award we are further compelled toward our mission of preserving the dark skies for residents of Sierra la Rana, the McDonald Observatory, and the Big Bend Region today and for future generations. This area has some of the darkest skies in the U.S. great for naked-eye, binocular and telescope viewing. It’s no wonder that Stargazers travel hundreds even thousands of miles to enjoy these skies.
Already, management of Sierra La Rana in association with other proponents of the Dark
Sky Community in Alpine are exploring steps to strengthen the Alpine Outdoor Lighting
Ordinance and are working to establish a fund to assist with the retrofit of Alpine’s nonconforming fixtures. Once this is complete, they plan to submit a request to community leaders to have Alpine apply for the International Dark Sky Community designation.
About International Dark-Sky Association:
The IDA is a 501 c3 not-for-profit organization dedicated to preserve and protect the nighttime environment and our heritage of dark skies. Headquartered in Tucson, AZ with a branch office in Washington, DC and satellite offices in Hever, Belgium and Turramurra, Australia, IDA has membership in 70 countries. More information can be found at www.darksky.org or by calling +1 520 293 3198.
About Sierra La Rana:
Sierra La Rana is a 3,100 acre residential development with an Astronomy Village located 2 miles south of Alpine, Texas in the Big Bend region. Amenities include a mile high elevation ideal for birding, hiking, and astronomy; over 10 miles of horse trials; views of the Davis Mountains; and close proximity to Big Bend National Park and the world renowned University of Texas at Austin McDonald Observatory. Sierra la Rana is perfect for astronomy -5,000 feet above sea level, dry desert air, mild winters, southern location, and perhaps most importantly dark skies. More information can be found at www.sierralarana.com.
