The Hill Country Alliance is now accepting applications for its Night Sky Preservation Fund, a grant program created to support community-driven projects that protect the region’s dark skies.
The fund, entering its second year, provides reimbursement funding of up to $5,000 for eligible projects that improve outdoor lighting practices, reduce energy waste and limit light pollution across the Texas Hill Country.
Applications are open to nonprofit organizations, small businesses, sole proprietors and governmental entities through Oct. 31.
Examples of qualifying efforts include seeking International Dark Sky Place designation, retrofitting outdoor lighting to make it more nightsky friendly, developing educational and outreach materials, and participating in the alliance’s Night Sky Friendly programs for businesses and neighborhoods.
“The inaugural launch of the Night Sky Preservation Fund was a tremendous success, allowing HCA to support 11 distinct projects across nine organizations,” said Dawn Davies, Night Sky Program Manager for the Hill Country Alliance. “We’re proud to now offer this as an annual opportunity for Hill Country partners, and we’re excited to support another round of applicants in achieving their night sky preservation goals.”
According to the alliance, funding for land and water conservation is becoming more common, but resources specifically dedicated to lighting practices and dark sky preservation remain limited.
The Night Sky Preservation Fund remains the first program of its kind in the Hill Country, designed solely to address light pollution.
The program is made possible through support from the Coypu Foundation and individual night sky advocates across the region.
Projects must take place within one or more of 22 eligible counties: Bandera, Bexar, Blanco, Burnet, Comal, Edwards, Gillespie, Hays, Kendall, Kerr, Kimble, Kinney, Lampasas, Llano, Mason, Medina, Real, San Saba, Travis, Uvalde, Val Verde and Williamson.
The announcement comes during Hill Country Night Sky Month, observed each October to celebrate the ecological, cultural and scenic value of dark skies.
The event highlights the Hill Country’s reputation as one of Texas’ best places to see star-filled skies, planets and even the occasional comet.
The Hill Country Alliance will host a virtual information session about the fund on Tuesday, Oct. 7, from noon to 1 p.m.
To learn more about the submission process, register for the information session or donate to the fund, visit hillcountryalliance. org/nightskyfund.
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