Around this time, one year ago, Salem’s Mayor Chris Hoy, officially recognized one of the problems an industrialized society deals with on a daily basis.
Not wanting to ignore the growing light pollution issue and its impact on both human health and wildlife, the City of Salem declared April as Oregon Dark Sky Awareness Month. Mayor Chris Hoy signed a proclamation highlighting the environmental consequences of excessive artificial light, including disrupting wildlife migration patterns and harming human health. Made possible by both Councilor Stapleton and our own Councilor Nishioka, the proclamation was handed to the driving force behind Salem’s bright future: Marissa Theve.
The proclamation also acknowledges Oregon’s unique position as a mayor bird migration route with, already, three accredited Dark Sky Places, and encourages Salem residents to learn more about light reduction practices.