Our Goal is to Create a Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem
Dark Sky Sanctuary
The Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem preserves one of the darkest night skies in the continental United States. As one of the last intact ecosystems in the lower 48, preservation of the night sky is one of the last great natural resources to be properly protected. We’re on a mission to ensure that happens, for both the health of the human and wildlife population, as well as the incredible gift it provides for both locals and tourists.
Goal Progress
2023 Goal Completed
- Have appropriate language for dark sky certification included into the Town of Jackson and Teton County Land Development Regulations (LDRs)
Interim – 1-4 Years
- Make dark sky lighting hardware available locally
- Obtain Dark Sky Certification for Jackson, Teton County, and Grand Teton National Park
Long-Term – 5 years
- Decrease and maintain sky brightness in Jackson, Teton County, and Grand Teton National Park so that the Milky Way can be easily viewable from anywhere in Jackson Hole.
Latest Updates
The Town of Jackson and Teton County
The Town of Jackson and Teton County accepted 49 or our 51 proposed amendments to the Exterior Lighting Standard and Sign Standard. These new Land Development Regulations can be downloaded by clicking on the link below.
Teton County Exterior Lighting Standard and Sign Standard (pages 236-242 and 262-270)
Grand Teton National Park
We completed a comprehensive outdoor lighting inventory of Grand Teton National Park earlier this summer. The full report can be viewed here. The good news is that GTNP is well on its way to becoming Dark Sky compliant.
JH Airport
The JH Airport is considering applying for Urban Night Sky Place status from the IDA. We’ll update you here if and when that happens.
Our efforts in 2022 to Save Our Night Skies were made possible by generous private donations and a grant from the Community Foundation of Jackson Hole
