Inspiring New Generation of Dark Sky Enthusiasts
Northumberland National Park is working together with CLIF Bar to launch a new initiative that aims to inspire a new generation of stargazers following the launch of the first virtual Northumberland Dark Skies Festival.
The Park was one of five National Parks in the UK to receive a grant from CLIF Bar as part of their National Parks Protectors Fund, receiving a £10,000 grant to support the Park’s Dark Skies conservation projects. The projects helps to raise public awareness of the issues of light pollution, and the need to help conserve the pristine dark skies.
Some of the grant is now being used to educate the next generation on dark skies and the importance of conservation. The Park have created a Dark Sky Discovery Loans Box, available to any schools within the county to borrow and use in the classroom for up to 4 weeks. The box includes a light meter, a piece of meteorite, binoculars, red and white light torches, constellation guides, nocturnal wildlife information, and a replica bronze age sky disk.
To celebrate the new initiative, and to run alongside the first virtual Northumberland Dark Skies Festival, the Park are launching a competition, asking children between 5-12 to create their very own dark skies art at home using any materials. The winner will take home their own personal stargazing starter kit, as well as getting the Dark Sky Discovery loan box for their school.Northumberland National Park is working together with CLIF Bar to launch a new initiative that aims to inspire a new generation of stargazers
