Amazing Earthfest

Description: Each year on the third Friday in May, The National Wildlife Federation celebrates Endangered Species Day. https://www.nwf.org/ Learn why, in addition to thousands of species of plants and animals, even the visibility of the stars in the night sky is rapidly becoming an “endangered species”. Reducing wasted light at night benefits wildlife by helping to safeguard access to natural darkness, a vital aspect of habitat for wildlife and people. 

Planet Earth is considered by many researchers to have entered a sixth mass extinction, threatening the existence of hundreds of thousands of species. This event includes information about NGO’s working to combat species extinction. Kanab’s Stellar Vista Observatory https://stellarvistaobservatory.org/ will provide telescopes for observing the planets, stars, star clusters and distant galaxies from a superbly dark location.

Bettymaya Foott, Director of Engagement for the International Dark Sky Association, https://www.darksky.org/ will provide information on outdoor lighting principles, fixtures and practices you can use to limit light pollution and help safeguard the visibility of the stars at night.

This event is organized in collaboration with the 2023 Nightscaper Photo Conference taking place in Kanab, Utah, May 18-21. https://www.nightscaper.com/, and the International Dark Sky Association, https://www.darksky.org/

Discover actions you can take to help preserve starry night skies in your area, starting right at home. Astrophotography, laser guided constellation tours, star stories and smart outdoor lighting demos are all in the program! Alternate date for inclement weather is Thursday, May 18, 2023. Image by David Lane.

Location: Zion View Star Field Lat/Long: 37.1810, -112.6349

Directions: ‘Zion View Star Field’ is located on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land at the west end of old Hwy. 89, 13 miles north of Kanab, near the 6100 foot summit and Diana’s Throne. This gravel surfaced site is at the opposite end of a six mile improved dirt road from BLM’s Peekaboo Trailhead. being the old Hwy. 89 running parallel to the paved highway. 2WD access. No facilities.