The first anniversary celebration of the signing of the Beaver Hills Dark-Sky Preserve declaration was held in Central Alberta at Elk Island National Park, on September 2, 2007. This site holds a long and rich history in the Beaver Hills area of the province, and is now a part of the UNESCO Beaverhills Biosphere and Beaver Hills Dark Sky Preserve – it is an important and valued natural landscape. The Beaver Hills Initiative (BHI) formed in 2002, supported their efforts to pursue "Dark Sky Preserve" designation and respected the commitment needed to adapt all their lighting to those set out in the Dark Sky Guidelines. The Hesje Observatory is located in the Beaver Hills Dark Sky Preserve, a 300-square-kilometre area near Miquelon Lake, southeast of Edmonton. This central Edmonton park is right on the River Valley and offers multiple fun date activities. A partnership among Parks Canada (Elk Island National Park), Alberta Parks and Protected Areas (Cooking Lake/Blackfoot Provincial Recreation Area), and the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, the Beaver Hills Dark-Sky Preserve was officially declared on September 3, 2006. Beaver Hills Dark Sky Preserve, Edmonton. An Afternoon at Hawrelak Park . As part of the Beaver Hills Dark Sky Preserve, the skies above Elk Island National Park are naturally dark and regularly displays a breathtaking view of twinkling stars or dancing Northern Lights. kevin-palmer May 4, 2019 0. The Hesje Observatory is located in a Dark-Sky Preserve recognized by the International Dark-Sky Association. Elk Island National Park is a member of the Beaver Hills Dark Sky Preserve and is a perfect place to experience the stars and planets above. Dark-Sky Preserves are areas that make a commitment to reduce light pollution. It’s a total area of 29,300 hectares and a 4.5 on the Bortle Scale, mostly due to the proximity to Edmonton and open, flat land that surrounds it. Dark sky experiences; Dark sky experiences. Beaver Hills Dark Sky Preserve. It features such scenic areas as Elk Island National Park and Cooking Lake Blackfoot Provincial Recreation Area, both of which offer a stunning backdrop for aurora. Situated just east of Edmonton near Fort Saskatchewan, Beaver Hills is a 300 square kilometre dark sky preserve around both Cooking Lake - Blackfoot Provincial Recreation Area and Elk Island National Park. This resulted in a scheme of tradable development credits. No light pollution here! Join fellow night sky enthusiasts at Astotin Lake after dark! Beaver Hills Dark Sky Preserve 8th Annual Star Party Sharing Our Story and the Starry Sky Astotin Lake, Elk Island National Park Sunday, Sep 1, 2013. The Biosphere supports a rich mosaic of ecosystems including forests, wetlands, and grasslands. Beaver Hills Dark Sky Preserve: The Beaver Hills Dark Sky Preserve encompasses 300 square kilometres inside the biosphere. Beaver Hills Dark Sky Preserve Beaver Hills Dark Sky Preserve. Visit central Alberta and the Beaver Hills Dark Sky Preserve to explore how the past and present collide under the dark skies to connect First Nations culture, to NASA's latest work, and the future of our natural world. In the heart of the Beaver Hills Dark Sky Preserve, strap on snowshoes for a guided hike and gaze upon the countless stars in our galaxy with a friendly park interpreter. Yes Entrance Fee? Beaver Hills Dark Sky Preserve occupies 116 sq mi(300 sq km) just east of the city. Because the earth is constantly rotating, the night sky changes throughout the year. Beaver Hills Dark Sky Preserve Working Group; Beaver Hills Tourism Working Group; The BHI vision. Loading... By Beaverhills Dark Sky Preserve, AB A dark-sky preserve (DSP), also known as a dark sky reserve, is an area, ... Beaver Hills: Alberta: 29,300 4.5 Dark Sky Preserve Designated on Sep. 3, 2006 Canada: Cypress Hills: Alberta / Saskatchewan: 39,600 2 Designated on Sep. 28, 2004 Canada: Jasper National Park: Alberta: 1,122,800 1–2 Dark Sky Preserve Designated on Mar. There are 10 opportunities to take part in this program on Saturdays between December 2020 and February 2021. It’s a place where the night sky pops thanks to … Luckily, you can reach a designated dark skies preserve in just 45 minutes by car from Edmonton. In the heart of the Beaver Hills Dark Sky Preserve, strap on snowshoes for a guided hike and gaze upon the countless stars in our galaxy with a friendly park interpreter. View this post on Instagram . https://www.travelalberta.com/us/listings/beaver-hills-dark-sky-preserve-1468 Located in just a short drive from downtown Edmonton, Beaver Hills Dark Sky Preserve occupies 116 sq mi(300 sq km) of forests, lakes, and prairies. The Hesje Observatory is located in the Beaver Hills Dark Sky Preserve, a 300-square-kilometre area near Miquelon Lake, southeast of Edmonton. The Beaver Hills Initiative values the region for its natural beauty and quality of life, and supports co-operative efforts to sustain the quality of water, land, air, natural resources and community development. There are 10 opportunities to take part in this program on Saturdays between December 2020 and February 2021. In the heart of the Beaver Hills Dark Sky Preserve, escape the city and gaze upon the countless stars in our galaxy with a friendly park interpreter. Visit central Alberta and the Beaver Hills Dark Sky Preserve to explore how the past and present collide under the dark skies to connect First Nations culture, to NASA's latest work, and the future of … Beaver Hills Dark Sky Preserve Beaver Hills Dark Sky Preserve, which was officially declared a protected area by the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada in 2006, is located 30 minutes outside Edmonton, and encompasses 300 square kilometers spanning Elk Island National Park and the Cooking Lake-Provincial Recreation Area. Forestry, agriculture, Indigenous land use and general recreation have all helped to shape this landscape and continue to thrive here to this day. This preserve is within Beaver Hills, and extends from Miquelon up to Elk Island. Each tale is wonderful & they dwell on the nooks & crannies touched on by Michael's books. Tales from Pennsylvania is an essential addition to the very original Michael Bunker story. $8 Description: Includes Elk Island National Park which contains many lakes, beaches, trails, camp sites and parking areas. He started his professional career with the ‘Trail Blazers’ and won the ‘NBA Rookie of the Year Award’ to announce his entry into the professional circle. During his college days, he led the ‘Weber State Wildcats,’ earning two ‘Big Sky Player of the Year’ awards and becoming the second-highest scorer in ‘Weber State’ history. Being part of the Beaver Hills Dark-Sky Preserve, the park is also the perfect place to enjoy an excellent view of the sky. Ambassadors of the Sky Brandy Y Productions BYP000. Don't miss out! In 2002 the Beaver Hills Initiative was created to coordinate land-use planning in the municipalities in the area surrounding the protected parks. In addition to being protected as a Provincial Park, Miquelon Lake is also classified as an Important Bird Area, and is part of the Beaver Hills Dark Sky Preserve. The Beaver Hills moraine is a mix of boreal forest and depressional areas, many of which support wetlands, small lakes and streams. The event is free for all visitors with a valid park pass. Located east of Edmonton, these sites offer endless opportunities for those seeking … Star gazing is also a part of the programming at this national park. The Park is located within the Beaver Hills Biosphere, between Alberta's Aspen Parkland and Boreal Forest subregions. Beaver Hills is a giant area just west of Edmonton and includes Elk Island National Park. Ambassadors of the Sky Resource Guide ; Related Titles. Beaver Hills Dark Sky Preserve Region . The observatory opened Tuesday, making the University of Alberta the first university in western Canada to have such a facility in a dark sky preserve. Register in advance and meet at the Astotin Recreation Area in Elk Island National Park. 2. Guided Snowshoe and Stargaze; Address: 54401 Range Rd. Beaver Hills Dark Sky Preserve, Alberta, Canada. Register in advance and meet at the Astotin Recreation Area in Elk Island National Park. It features such scenic areas as Elk Island National Park and Cooking Lake Blackfoot Provincial Recreation Area, both of which offer a good backdrop for aurora pictures. In 2006 the area became recognized as a dark sky preserve by the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada.