📷 Milky Far more than the Blitzen River in wintry weather, Oregon | Peter Pearsall/USFWS
We’re excited to announce the recipient of the 2024 O’Brien Prize for Safe haven Buddies, the Buddies of Malheur Nationwide Natural world Safe haven (FOMR)! This annual prize acknowledges the exceptional contributions of Safe haven Buddies teams whose tasks foster deeper connections with their communities whilst bettering the undertaking of the Nationwide Natural world Safe haven Machine.
The Buddies of Malheur Nationwide Natural world Safe haven were awarded the O’Brien Prize for his or her DarkSky Lights Compliance undertaking. This cutting edge initiative objectives to deliver the lights on the Malheur Nationwide Natural world Safe haven as much as DarkSky World (DarkSky) requirements, decreasing gentle air pollution and making a extra wildlife-friendly setting.
In March 2024, 2.5 million acres of Oregon’s Outback in Lake County have been formally designated as a Darkish Sky Sanctuary through DarkSky. This important designation is the primary section of a broader effort to give protection to and advertise the biggest contiguous stretch of Darkish Skies within the decrease 48 states. The Buddies of Malheur Nationwide Natural world Safe haven are dedicated to increasing this sanctuary, and their undertaking is a an important step against attaining this purpose.
The DarkSky Lights Compliance undertaking will retrofit outside lights at quite a lot of places inside the safe haven, together with Safe haven Headquarters, Double O, Buena Vista, and P Ranch. By means of changing non-compliant fixtures with those who meet DarkSky requirements, the undertaking will decrease gentle air pollution, reaping benefits birds, bugs, and different flora and fauna.
Group Engagement
A key side of this undertaking is its focal point on development more potent connections inside the local people. The Buddies of Malheur Nationwide Natural world Safe haven plan to coach their neighbors concerning the significance of DarkSky compliance and inspire native companies and amenities to undertake equivalent practices. Doable companions come with the Malheur Box Station, the Ancient Frenchglen Lodge, The Narrows RV Park and Jackalope Cafe, Crystal Crane Scorching Springs, and native ranches.
Instructional Part
The undertaking additionally comprises an academic part to boost consciousness concerning the worth of darkish sky habitats. For the reason that Malheur NWR is closed to the general public from nightfall to first light, the Buddies workforce will set up an interpretive signal at Safe haven Headquarters and distribute brochures on scale back non-public gentle footprints. Those fabrics will assist guests and the local people perceive the importance of protecting darkish skies for flora and fauna.
Having a look Forward
The final touch of this undertaking is not going to simplest reinforce the Malheur Nationwide Natural world Safe haven’s compliance with DarkSky requirements but additionally function a fashion for different refuges and communities. It aligns with FOMR’s strategic theme of creating more potent, deeper connections and demonstrates their willpower to conservation and neighborhood engagement.
The Nationwide Natural world Safe haven Affiliation congratulates the Buddies of Malheur Nationwide Natural world Safe haven on their hard-earned 2024 O’Brien Prize for Safe haven Buddies. Their dedication to protective flora and fauna and selling conservation via cutting edge tasks just like the DarkSky Lights Compliance initiative is in reality inspiring.