2/26/2025

UPPER MICHIGAN - Multiple state Dark Sky advocates discussed the importance of dark skies in the Upper Peninsula during a virtual public meeting last night.  These advocates included Protect the Porkies Founder Tom Grotewohl.  The main topic of discussion was about why the state prohibits dark sky preserves in the U.P. and what to do about it. According to a state statute, ‘a dark sky preserve shall not be established in the Upper Peninsula.’ According to Dark Sky International, these preserves are “dark ‘core’ zones surrounded by populated areas where policy controls protect the darkness of the core.”  The panel’s concern stems from U.P. lands not being able to promote and profit from astro-tourism the same as areas of lower Michigan, when the U.P. has the darkest areas in the state. This includes preventing lands like Porcupine Mountains State Park from becoming a preserve. In November 2023, an attempt to make the park a reserve was denied by the Michigan DNR Parks and Recreation Division.  The panelists urge dark sky supporters to sign a petition urging the end of the prohibition.  A link to the petition can be found on our website and on the WUPM Facebook Page. https://www.change.org/p/end-the-prohibition-on-upper-peninsula-dark-sky-preserves