World's Largest Dark Sky Sanctuary in Southeastern Oregon: A Boost for Local Economy and Sustainable Tourism

Dark Sky Tourism is a sustainable tourism experience that is growing in popularity. It allows visitors to view the night sky while also minimizing light pollution's harmful effects on people and wildlife. This type of tourism is becoming more critical as light pollution prevents approximately 80% of Americans and 33% of the global population from seeing the Milky Way from their homes.

Oregon, unlike many other U.S. states, has a significant amount of dark skies, especially in Eastern Oregon. This region has the largest and most untouched dark sky area in the contiguous United States. Oregon's tourism industry and dark sky advocates are working to preserve this resource for future generations and share it with more visitors.

In March 2024, a 2.5-million-acre area in southeastern Oregon was recognized as the world's largest International Dark Sky Sanctuary by Dark Sky International. This was achieved through a collaboration led by Travel Southern Oregon. To earn this status, the area had to meet strict sky quality standards, commit to responsible lighting practices, and engage in public outreach. The Oregon Outback Dark Sky Network (ODSN), a volunteer organization focused on dark sky conservation, worked with various partners for four years to develop a Lighting Management Plan (LMP) for certification.

Achieving this certification required extensive collaboration, including significant industry and community involvement. Travel Southern Oregon spearheaded the initiative, which started with an Outdoor Recreation Tourism Studio in Lakeview. It involved many discussions with local residents and businesses to assess concerns and public support. Travel Southern Oregon also bought three Sky Quality Meters to gather the necessary data to prove darkness levels on partner-owned land.

Establishing a destination in the remote South Central Oregon Outback has considerable economic benefits. Dark Sky Tourism, which occurs at night, can stimulate the local economy by attracting visitors. This type of tourism not only improves the visitor experience but also supports local businesses, agencies, and residents in managing their lands in ways that preserve the night sky for future generations.

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