This Christmas, help every star shine a bit brighter

December 2 is Giving Tuesday, and the IDA board of directors has pledged to match the first $5,000 donations that come in today. I wanted to take a moment to encourage you to consider making a donation.

The International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) works together with communities, institutions, parks, and lighting designers to improve lighting worldwide. The IDA does this in a number of ways:

• The IDA helps parks and communities preserve the resource of a natural night sky through its International Dark-Sky places program.
• The Fixture Seal of Approval program makes it easy for communities to find lights that shine light where it is needed, and not into the sky.
• In partnership with the Illuminating Engineering Society, the IDA developed a Model Lighting Ordinance that communities can adopt to regulate lighting.
• Through partnerships with companies like Lowes, the IDA helps homeowners choose lamps that satisfy security needs while minimizing waste light and energy consumption.
• The IDA honors individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the protection of the night sky.
• The IDA helps educate everyone about the consequences of poorly designed lighting through education and outreach programs, such as this planetarium show.

The IDA is largely a member-funded organization, and it needs your help to continue this work. The best way for you to help is to become a member, but you can also help out by making a one-time donation. A donation in another person's name is a great stocking stuffer!

Better lighting doesn't only help keep the stars in the sky, it can also improve visibility and is more efficient. That means lower electricity bills for cities (lower taxes!), and reduced need for electricity production in the night (when solar plants can't operate). Bringing back the stars is a win for everyone!

Full disclosure: I am a member of the IDA board of directors. That means I'm literally asking you to take my money today!