Maine’s Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument is now an International Dark Sky Sanctuary. The Sanctuary designation, the second of its kind in the National Park Service, distinguishes the monument for the exceptional quality of its naturally dark night skies. Additionally, Katahdin Woods and Waters is the first International Dark Sky Place certified in Maine and in New England.
“Designation as a Dark Sky Sanctuary recognizes this incredible resource that does not exist in many places today in this country, much less anywhere else in New England,” says Katahdin Woods and Waters Superintendent Tim Hudson. “Experiencing the night skies here will take you back in time to the night skies first experienced by the Wabanaki 11,000 years ago and the many people who have followed in their footsteps since, including John James Audubon, Henry David Thoreau, Theodore Roosevelt, and others.”
Maine’s Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument
Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument, established Aug. 24, 2016, protects the north Maine woods’ extraordinary natural and cultural landscape. It includes the mountains, woodlands, and waters east of Baxter State Park. This is where the East Branch of the Penobscot River and its tributaries, including the Wassataquoik Stream and the Seboeis River, run freely.
Since the glaciers retreated 12,000 years ago, these waterways and associated resources—the scenery, geology, flora and fauna, night skies, and more—have attracted people to this area. In addition, the area’s awe-inspiring night skies glitter with stars and planets and occasional displays of the aurora borealis, also known as the northern lights.
The International Dark-Sky Association established the International Dark Sky Places Program in 2001. The program encourages protecting natural dark night skies around the globe through responsible lighting policies, public outreach, and education.
Ways to experience Maine’s International Dark Sky Sanctuary
The annual Stars Over Katahdin event celebrates this designation. Hosted by the Friends of Katahdin Woods and Waters, it lets to learn about the monument’s dark skies. Additionally, it highlights the continued efforts of the National Park Service and the International Dark-Sky Association to preserve natural night skies.
In addition to this annual event, visitors to the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument can independently experience some of the darkest skies in the Northeastern United States. They may measure night sky brightness and contribute to community science projects through the Globe at Night project.
Here’s how you can get involved in night sky preservation and learn more about scheduled astronomy and night skies programming.
