Voyageurs National Park is celebrating its Dark-Sky designation.
A series of educational activities about the sky is being held this week that included viewing the Perseid Meteor shower.
Park Ranger Melissa Panter says it attracted 75 people on the first night Wednesday.
“We kind of took on a big tall order trying for three nights, but with (Wednesday’s) numbers, I’m really excited that people are pumped to see the night sky here at Voyageurs,” says Panter.
Voyageurs received its designation from the International Dark-Sky Association in December.
The Association advocates the importance of protecting dark sites in communities, parks and protected areas through responsible lighting policies.
Parks must meet certain criteria to be designated a Dark Sky Park.
Voyageurs is one of three areas along the Ontario-Minnesota border receiving the declaration.
Superior National Forest was awarded it last Fall. Quetico Provincial Park received its designation in February.
Panter sees more activities at Voyageurs in the future.
“We’re hoping that this is the kickoff. We’re actually doing this with Heart of the Continent to celebrate the whole region becoming different Dark Sky accreditations across the area.”
Activities this week included Ojibwe artist and educator Sam Zimmerman sharing traditional native stories behind some of the most significant constellations.
Visitors learned how to create a painting of the Milky Way, heard stories about the nightlife in the park and were given a tour of the constellation.
The highlight was viewing the Perseid Meteor shower which reached its peak on Wednesday.
Amateur astronomer and planetarium educator Bob King, also known as Astro Bob, was on hand to provide some insight into the meteor shower.
Panter says there will be more events, including taking the Dark-Sky designation into the classroom.
“We’re doing educational opportunities, so taking dark-sky curriculum into the classroom. We’re also putting on more frequent events with Voyagers Conservancy.”
There’s still an opportunity for the public to participate today.
There is a presentation about the Life and Death of Stars at the Rainy Lake Visitor Center beginning at 4 p.m.
Then tonight starting at 10:30 p.m. at the Kabetogama Lake Visitor Centre, there’s is another opportunity to enjoy the night sky through the lens of a telescope.
Both events are free.
