In a landmark recognition of its environmental leadership, Jackson Hole Airport has become the first airport in the world to be certified as an Urban Night Sky Place.
When you think of airports, you probably imagine lighted runways with a rainbow of colors, shining up to ensure that pilots can safely navigate the tricky transition between ground and air. It’s hard to picture an airport that reduces its upward-shining light pollution .
In a landmark recognition of its environmental leadership, Jackson Hole Airport has become the first airport in the world to be certified as an “Urban Night Sky Place” by. The designation recognizes the airport’s significant efforts to reduce light pollution, particularly in its role as the only commercial airport located While the honor itself is notable, the work behind it is even more compelling. Airport staff dedicated hundreds of hours over the past year to retrofit nearly 200 light fixtures and overhaul lighting programming to meet strict criteria for responsible outdoor lighting. The project is part of JAC’s broader commitment to environmental responsibility, energy efficiency, and green building initiatives. “This certification of the world’s first airport as an International Dark Sky Place is certainly special for the obvious reasons,” said Michael Rymer, Program Associate at DarkSky International. “But what is really worth celebrating is how much work the airport’s managers and staff put into retrofitting nearly 200 light fixtures in under a year.” That effort reflects not only technical precision but a deep sense of stewardship. The airport’s new Lighting Management Plan incorporates DarkSky’s five core principles: lighting must be useful, targeted, low-level, controlled, and warm-colored. These changes have benefits that go beyond energy savings; they restore darker night skies to improve conditions for wildlife in the surrounding park, many of which rely on natural darkness to thrive.Today’s NYT Mini Crossword Clues And Answers For Tuesday, May 6thImportantly, the plan also respects the airport’s responsibility to ensure safety and comply with Federal Aviation Administration requirements. Lighting on the airfield and aircraft apron remains exempt from DarkSky guidelines due to federal regulations. However, landside areas – including the terminal building, parking lots, hangars, and support facilities – were significantly upgraded, with more than 250 exterior fixtures replaced or reprogrammed to reduce light spill. Even inside the terminal, practices have changed. Airport staff now turn off screens and lighting in the ticketing area during evening hours to minimize interior light escaping outside. “This DarkSky certification furthers our commitment to being a good neighbor,” said Airport Board President Rob Wallace. “I thank our team of dedicated professionals for shepherding this landmark designation to completion.” The airport’s efforts align with broader local initiatives. The Town of Jackson, Teton County, and Jackson Hole Airport are jointly pursuing certification as an International Dark Sky Community, an effort that would further safeguard the region’s iconic night skies. The LMP is also designed for long-term impact. It complies with local ordinances and the International Energy Conservation Code and applies not only to existing exterior lighting but to all future installations. Planned upgrades include systematically replacing interior lighting with fixtures rated at 3000K Correlated Color Temperature and updating lighting controls where feasible.“Grand Teton National Park is a place where people can still see planets, stars and be mesmerized by the Milky Way just by stepping outside,” said Chip Jenkins, Superintendent of Grand Teton National Park. “A night sky is a resource as valuable and awe-inspiring as seeing a grizzly bear or catching a fish in the Snake River.” With this certification, Jackson Hole Airport is helping set a precedent, not only for aviation but for any infrastructure project operating in sensitive natural areas. In preserving the integrity of the night, it’s ensuring that future generations can look up and still feel awe.
Light Pollution Darksky International Dark Sky Places
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