LAKELAND - On Sept. 23, the first in-person Lakeland Dark Sky Celebration since 2019 will be taking place at Sir Winston Churchill Provincial Park.
Bridget Burgess-Ferrari, communications advisor for the Government of Alberta, said learning about the dark sky is important because it is critical to all life on Earth.
“Darkness helps with the circadian rhythm and preserving darkness is important for our health and our sleep,” she explained. “On the hike, visitors will learn about nocturnal animals and what happens in the park after dark.”
The event takes place from 7-11 p.m.
Burgess-Ferrari says explorers of all ages are welcome to experience the Dark Sky Celebration. However, due to the time of day (and night), park officials expect those in attendance to be mainly older children, youth, and adults.
Lakeland Provincial Park was designated as a Dark Sky Preserve in November of 2016, with the inaugural night hike taking place in September of 2017. Like many events that were put on pause during the COVID-19 pandemic, the dark sky initiative has also been on hiatus for the past few years.
When hiking after dark, proper lighting is essential. For this year’s dark sky hike, park officials will be promoting the use of red-light to ensure visitors have a positive experience.
“Another consideration is managing potential human-wildlife interactions, as many animals are nocturnal,” states Burgess-Ferrari. “We will be travelling as a group and making noise to ensure wildlife are aware of our presence in the area.”
In addition to the night hike, the evening also includes opportunities for stargazing, listening to music and chatting around the campfire, as well as educational and interpretive displays.
“We are proud to be partnering with the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, Lac La Biche County, the Lac La Biche County Libraries, and the Lac La Biche Boreal Explorers Club on this exciting event,” she says.
