2025: United for the night – A year of worldwide progress

2025 has truly been a year written in the stars, marking another meaningful chapter of growth not just for DarkSky International, but for the entire global dark sky movement we are proud to be part of. We would like to take a moment to reflect on this extraordinary year, made possible by you, our community of dedicated supporters, members, Advocates, and certified places.

Together, we can take pride in these shared achievements as we carry that momentum forward and work to turn the tide on the global growth of light pollution. With your continued support, and the programs and initiatives we’ve built together, we move closer to a future where the nighttime environment thrives for the benefit of all.

New achievements for dark sky conservation

DarkSky celebrates 250 International Dark Sky Places

Early this year, we reached an exciting milestone: the certification of our 250th International Dark Sky Place (IDSP). While Lapalala Wilderness Nature Reserve holds the official 250th designation, this achievement belongs to every IDSP that has joined us along the way. From Flagstaff, Arizona, becoming the very first International Dark Sky Place, to the rapid growth of designations across Europe, New Zealand, and beyond, these places are protecting critical nocturnal environments and ecosystems for plants, animals, and people alike.

New DarkSky Approved Port Marine Terminal Lighting program

This year, DarkSky expanded its efforts to protect marine ecosystems with the launch of the DarkSky Approved Port Marine Terminal Lighting program. Studies show that about 22 percent of coastal waters are exposed to measurable nighttime light, and industrial areas—including commercial ports essential to global trade—play a significant role. Our new program sets a high standard for responsible industrial lighting, helping reduce the impact of artificial light on marine environments while maintaining efficiency.

Improved lighting standards and initiatives

Relaunch of DarkSky Approved Luminaires program

With new and emerging technologies come new threats to the nighttime environment, but also new opportunities to protect it. That’s why updating and evolving our programs remains a core focus of our work.

In April, DarkSky relaunched our DarkSky Approved Luminaires program with updated criteria that reflect advances in lighting technology and strengthen protections for the night. The program now includes expanded categories—Residential, Commercial, Pedestrian Comfort, and Wildlife-Tuned Luminaires—along with new technical standards, including a 1,000-lumen limit for Residential fixtures and strict controls on high-angle light for Commercial products to reduce glare, skyglow, and light trespass.

To make these products more accessible, we have also created a new web portal on DarkSky.org, where consumers—from city planners searching for pedestrian walkway lighting to homeowners seeking a dark sky-friendly porch light—can easily search and find the perfect fixture.

A new Home Outdoor Lighting Assessment activity

DarkSky recognizes that no matter where you live, protecting the night starts right at your front door. Building on the success of a previous activity, we revamped our DarkSky Home Outdoor Lighting Assessment—an easy, hands-on tool anyone can use to evaluate the lighting around their home and identify simple, effective solutions. Filled with helpful tips and clear guidance, it serves as a great entry point for anyone embarking on their own dark sky journey.

Heightened global events and activation

Each year, DarkSky hosts three signature events designed to inspire, educate, and activate both supporters and new audiences. We kicked things off with a stellar International Dark Sky Week in April, which drew significant media attention—especially in local outlets around the world—as our Advocates helped secure more than 150 proclamations, official community statements of support for International Dark Sky Week.

The return of Capture the Dark

Capture the Dark, DarkSky’s premier astrophotography contest, returned this year after a brief hiatus—bigger, better, and more aligned with our mission than ever. With a redesigned website and updated criteria, the contest not only showcased the beauty of the night but also highlighted its importance and the real vulnerability of losing it.

As part of this effort, DarkSky introduced the Responsible Principles of Astrophotography, a set of guidelines that began as submission standards but now extend far beyond the competition. These principles encourage ethical practices, responsible use of light, and the use of photography as a powerful tool for education and night sky conservation.

Under One Sky 2025

Just this November, DarkSky held its annual conference, once again uniting our community over the course of a global night. With an inspiring lineup of workshops and speakers—including a keynote by Lynne Peeples, author of The Inner Clock—the opening event explored how darkness supports quality of life and well-being. A special workshop led by DarkSky CEO Ruskin Hartley also highlighted emerging threats to the night, from satellite constellations to increasingly bright vehicle headlights. Check out the recording from this years conference on DarkSky’s YouTube channel.

Each year, Under One Sky offers a meaningful moment for our community to come together, exchange ideas, and deepen our understanding of solutions that will shape the work ahead.

New partnerships and bold new plans!

As the organization continues to grow, DarkSky is forging new partnership opportunities, with much more to be announced in 2026. Here’s a small sneak peek!

Purpose, Produced: A 360° media campaign

In early 2025, DarkSky was selected as one of six nonprofits to participate in a 360° media campaign organized by SixDegrees, a nonprofit founded by actor and philanthropist Kevin Bacon. As part of this initiative, DarkSky was paired with the New York–based marketing firm Bray & Co., who are currently developing a custom campaign for DarkSky that will help drive us into the future!

On that note… Stay tuned for an exciting announcement to come in early 2026!