ABOUT BISBEE DARK SKIES
Our Story
History and Founders
The Bisbee Dark Sky Initiative was founded by Bruce Syrett, a passionate astronomy enthusiast of 55 years. He, along with a group of dedicated night-sky admirers, aims to promote the beauty of Bisbee’s starry skies for future generations.
Recognizing that Bisbee already has relatively clear night skies, the group adopted the motto: “Let’s Keep What We Have.” In support of this mission, the city passed new lighting ordinances in 2022 to regulate lighting in future developments.
The Dark Skies International organization has a very extensive and detailed set of requirements that must be met by the applicants. After working with the Bisbee city council, in 2024 the Bisbee was certified by the Dark Skies International organization as an official dark sky community.
In 2025 the Bisbee Dark Skies organization joined the Bisbee Science Lab. There was a significant overlap between the efforts of both organizations to promote local astronomy in Bisbee through science events like the monthly Pie & Sky events where pizza is served to locals while setting up multiple telescopes outside for locals to view the planets and stars above. Bisbee Dark Skies also gains access to the non-profit 501c status for donations via the Bisbee Science Lab’s financial status.
Benefits of Bisbee becoming a Dark Sky Community
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Being identified as a community with an exceptional commitment to and success in pursuing dark sky preservation and restoration, and for promoting quality outdoor lighting
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Attracting ecotourism and astrotourism
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Promoting the protection of human health, nocturnal habitats, public enjoyment of the night sky and its heritage, and/or areas ideal for professional and amateur astronomy
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Local, national, and international recognition for Bisbee
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Help promote the ideals of the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) by encouraging other communities to identify dark skies as a valuable community asset and goal
Achieving this designation brings recognition of the efforts made by the Bisbee council, the local government authorities (police, planning & zoning, etc.), the citizens, and any other public and private organization to protect the night sky and the environment dependent on it. This designation will enhance awareness of dark sky matters to all resident and visitors of Bisbee.
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Designation as a Dark Sky Community entitles Bisbee to display the IDA Dark Sky Community logo in official publications, promotions, signs at the entrance or within Bisbee, and retain the use of the logo by other groups within Bisbee when identifying ourselves. It could be written, for example, "located in Bisbee, an IDA Dark Sky Community". IDA maintains a web page identifying and describing all the DSCs available on www.darksky.org.
Show Support by:
Educate yourself on Dark Sky principles​
View “Losing the Dark” on our website under the media section.
Change your own outside lights to Dark Sky compliant ones to prevent glare.​
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Help educate others by discussing harmful glare at their homes
Volunteer at our booth at Bisbee Farmer Market
DONATE to Bisbee Dark Skies! Everything you give moves this project forward.