Dark Sky Boschplaat

De Boschplaat Dark Sky Park is an International Dark Sky Park located within the De Boschplaat nature reserve on the eastern part of the Dutch Wadden island of Terschelling, in the province of Friesland. It was designated by the International Dark-Sky Association on 26 June 2015, becoming the first International Dark Sky Park in the Netherlands.

The park covers approximately and forms part of the Natura 2000 protected Wadden Sea landscape. It is managed by Staatsbosbeheer. The designation recognises the quality of the area's night sky and the continuing protection of natural darkness through lighting management, conservation and public education. The exceptionally dark night skies result from the absence of significant artificial lighting in the eastern part of Terschelling. The park promotes the protection of natural darkness for the benefit of biodiversity, astronomy, education and sustainable tourism.

History

The idea of creating a Dark Sky Park on Terschelling was proposed in 2011 by local entrepreneur Melis de Vries of holiday park Tjermelân. After visiting Galloway Forest Dark Sky Park in Scotland, he investigated whether De Boschplaat could obtain the same international designation.

The proposal was subsequently developed with Staatsbosbeheer, local organisations and specialists in light pollution. In the spring of 2015, Staatsbosbeheer and the neighbouring community of De Buren van Oosterend submitted the formal application to the International Dark-Sky Association.

The status was granted on 26 June 2015. De Boschplaat was followed in 2016 by Lauwersmeer National Park, the second Dutch area to receive International Dark Sky Park status.

Location and environment

De Boschplaat Dark Sky Park occupies the eastern part of De Boschplaat, a coastal nature reserve consisting of beaches, dunes, salt marshes, tidal flats and dune valleys. The reserve contains no permanent settlement and virtually no permanent electric lighting.

The area is also an important breeding and staging habitat for coastal and migratory birds. Parts of De Boschplaat are temporarily closed during the breeding season to limit disturbance to wildlife.

Except for temporary conservation closures, visitors have access to the reserve at night. Eight locations have been designated for observing the night sky.

Dark-sky designation

The application documented sky brightness, artificial light sources and long-term lighting policy. More than forty measurements were taken on De Boschplaat and elsewhere on Terschelling. Sky quality measurements taken during the application process recorded an average night-sky brightness of approximately 21.5 magnitudes per square arcsecond, indicating very low levels of artificial light.

Staatsbosbeheer committed itself to preventing unnecessary permanent lighting within the reserve. Public information and educational activities were also included in the management approach, as public outreach is one of the requirements of the International Dark Sky Places programme.

Dark-sky quality is monitored through regular measurements and annual reporting to DarkSky International. The official DarkSky listing gives the park's area as 40 square kilometres and records its designation category as a Dark Sky Park.

Public engagement

Staatsbosbeheer and other organisations organise guided evening walks, stargazing events and educational programmes that introduce visitors to natural darkness, astronomy and the effects of artificial light.

Since receiving its International Dark Sky Park designation in 2015, De Boschplaat has attracted increasing national attention as one of the Netherlands' premier locations for observing the night sky. Newspapers and travel publications have highlighted the area's exceptionally dark skies and its value for astronomy, nature experience and awareness of light pollution.

Information about the Dark Sky Park is also provided through local visitor organisations and at the Natuurschuur in Lies, a Staatsbosbeheer visitor facility.

See also

• Dark-sky preserve
• Light pollution
• Wadden Sea
• Terschelling

External links

• De Boschplaat at DarkSky International
• Dark Sky Park De Boschplaat