Dark sky designation: Quebec's Mont-Tremblant Park is officially star gazers' paradise
Lovers of starry skies and all manner of celestial spectacles can now visit Quebec's Mont-Tremblant National Park knowing it's received an official dark sky stamp of approval.
Newly designated as an International Dark Sky Park, Mont-Tremblant is being recognized by the International Dark Sky Places Program (IDSPP), for the work it has done to protect its nocturnal environment.
IDSPP is a non-regulatory and voluntary program that promotes environmentally responsible public lighting, according to a press release issued by the Société des établissements de plein air du Québec (SEPAQ) which is a a provincial group of open-air establishments.
When light is used gratuitously and without thought or planning, SEPAQ wrote, it can "disrupt ecosystems, impact human health, waste money and energy, contribute to climate change, and block our view and connection to the universe."
- IN PICTURES: Rare blue supermoon as seen around the world
To maintain a natural environment that's free from excessive amounts of light pollution, Mont-Tremblant Park actively monitors the night sky, and collaborates with surrounding communities and dark-sky advocates, said Amber Harrison, DarkSky's International Dark Sky Places Program Manager.
Park management also converted light fixtures and focused on educating its neighbours and visitors about dark sky policies.
"Certification as an International Dark Sky Park will enhance our ability to raise public awareness of light pollution and to protect an important component of our intangible heritage," said Hugues Tennier, the park's Manager of Education and Conservation.
About 600,000 people visit Mont-Tremblant National Park annually. On this year's park day being held Sat. On Sept. 9, there will be specially organized activities.
DarkSky International's mission is to protect the nighttime environment through environmentally responsible outdoor lighting.
SIXTH DARK SKY DESIGNATION IN CANADA
Mont-Tremblant is the third International Dark Sky Park in Canada, joining Quetico Provincial Park on the Ontario-Minnesota border, and Waterton-Glacier International Peace park in Alberta.
Bon Accord, Alberta is considered an International Dark Sky Community.
In Quebec Mont-Megantic is a Dark Sky Reserve and Parc du Mont-Bellevue is an Urban Night Sky Place.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Repetitive partisan conduct': Conservatives to force vote on ousting Speaker Greg Fergus
The federal Conservatives have advanced a motion that will force MPs to vote on whether to oust Greg Fergus as House of Commons Speaker, after MPs' deputy adjudicator ruled Monday that the Liberal member's allegedly errant partisan event invite required urgent attention.
What a CBSA strike could look like, according to an expert
Slowed or interrupted travel, the passing of goods and significantly restricted borders should be expected if Canadian border workers take upcoming strike action.
B.C. senior prepares to move due to devastating effects of fraud
A Courtenay, B.C., senior is downsizing and packing to move as she comes to accept she can no longer afford to stay in her home, after falling victim to a scam that robbed her of her life savings worth more than $100,000.
WATCH Alta. man rescues wild foal trapped on steep cliffside
A man's daring rescue of a newborn wild foal that was trapped after falling down a steep embankment was caught on video over the weekend.
'Decades-long fight': MPs unanimously pass 'anti-scab' legislation
A bill that would ban federal employers from using replacement workers or 'scabs' during lockouts or strikes passed the House of Commons unanimously on Monday.
Netanyahu acknowledges 'tragic mistake' after Rafah strike kills dozens of Palestinians
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged Monday that a "tragic mistake" had been made after an Israeli strike in the southern Gaza city of Rafah set fire to a tent camp housing displaced Palestinians and, according to local officials, killed at least 45 people.
Mike Tyson had medical issue on cross-country flight
Boxing legend Mike Tyson required medical attention after experiencing an 'ulcer flare up' toward the end of a cross-country flight Sunday, his representatives confirmed to the New York Post.
81-year-old arrested after police say he terrorized a California neighbourhood with a slingshot
An 81-year-old man who investigators say terrorized a Southern California neighbourhood for years with a slingshot has been arrested, police said.
Why Canada's big grocery stores are under investigation
Amid mounting outrage over high grocery prices, a retail expert says there's a solution to fostering more competition in the country.