Suzanne Oel – Division 4
Greetings! Sharing my News Update…
Wildfire Awareness & FireSmart Meeting on January 23, 2024: You are invited to attend our public meeting at the Priddis Community Hall on January 23, 2024. Visit with neighbours from 6:00 to 7:00 pm. From 7:00 to 9:00 pm, learn from our forestry specialist guest-presenter about wildfire history in our area, and about FireSmart mitigation measures from Foothills Fire Department and FireSmart Alberta representatives, who are on the job defending citizens and properties in the event of fire or wildfire. Refreshments and snacks will be served.
Introducing DarkSkyCountry.ca: Foothills County’s Dark Sky Initiative partners are working on some new projects we would like to share with you! Our goal is to create awareness about naturally Dark Skies in a friendly manner to help protect the night sky through education and the offer of practical solutions, in addition to recognizing the Foothills County Dark Sky Bylaw. We hope to lead people to search for information about preserving naturally Dark Skies, to view our beautiful universe, and participate in reducing light pollution. To that end, we are pleased to introduce our new exterior light fixture labelling project, website, Facebook page and our stellar guide owl, “Dark Sky Hunter”.
Tags and Posters: Our team of volunteers will be placing tags on Dark Sky compatible exterior light fixtures in our local building stores. You will see posters located in the exterior light fixture aisles, to draw the attention of those looking to purchase exterior light fixtures. We will also place a two-sided tag on the light fixtures that are Dark Sky compatible. We hope this will help you to identify the fixtures that can help reduce light pollution and will still provide light at night when and where needed. Please consider using Dark Sky compatible lighting for your exterior fixtures, when purchasing outdoor lighting for your property. Using Dark Sky compatible lighting protects nocturnal wildlife and helps preserve our view of the night sky.
Dark Sky compatible Fixtures: Dark Sky compatible lighting is shielded and directs light downwards. Consider using motion detectors with your fixtures, so outside lights are only on when needed. Using light as needed will help to reduce light pollution. Visit our Resources page for more info on Dark Sky compatible fixtures.
Meet “Dark Sky Hunter”, our stellar guide to naturally Dark Skies! Dark Sky Hunter is our friendly, stellar guide owl, whooo helps us to search out and preserve naturally Dark Skies. “I give a hoot about dark skies!” is an example of the colourful art, owl-puns and humor that we will use to remind us that light pollution affects animal and human health. Please look for Dark Sky Hunter, whooo is included on this news page and will appear in our upcoming projects.
Dark Sky Country Road Signs: One of our on-going projects has been the installation of our reflective metal Dark Sky Country road signs. You will see our signs throughout Foothills County, within neighbourhoods, along county roads and some Alberta highways. In particular, they have been located near observatories, the Cross Conservancy Nocturnal Preserve and in the enhanced preservation areas noted in the Dark Sky Bylaw. If you are interested in purchasing a sign for your neighbourhood, please contact me.
Visit DarkSkyCountry.ca: to learn more about Dark Skies, our projects, and our partners, whooo have joined forces in favour of sharing and growing this initiative. For more events and news, visit our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/DarkSkyCountry/
For Other News & Updates:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/CouncillorSuzanneOel/
Email: Suzanne.Oel@FoothillsCountyAB.ca
With Best Regards,
Suzanne
