Shorthorn Light Swap Challenge

Students at Marfa High School participated in a seven-week challenge to help preserve the night skies by connecting residents to Big Bend Conservation Alliance’s lighting incentive program. As part of the program students learned about dark sky protection in Far West Texas through a series of presentations given by area experts.

Emily Card, a graduate student at Sul Ross State University’s Borderlands Research Institute, presented “Cut the Lights! Artificial Light Pollution and its Impacts on Birds in the Chihuahuan Desert,” giving students a chance to learn more about the connection between dark skies and wilderness protection.

Emily Card presented “Cut the Lights! Artificial Light Pollution and its Impacts on Birds in the Chihuahuan Desert,” to Marfa High School on students the morning of their homecoming.

Bill Wren, recently retired from the McDonald Observatory, talked with students about the Big Bend International Dark Sky Reserve, the need for dark skies to protect the astronomical research at the Observatory, and gave a lighting demonstration, so students could learn best practices.

Bill Wren performing a lighting demonstration at Marfa High School with student Aubrie Aguilar volunteering in the role of the lamp post. A “Blazing Horns of the Big Bend” bucket is being used for the lamp shade.

As part of the Shorthorn Light Swap Challenge, students accumulated points for visiting with homeowners to see if they could get completed program applications for BBCA’s lighting incentive program, which offers to assist residents in switching their old mercury vapor guard lights to dark sky compliant fixtures.

Star party for students who competed in the Shorthorn Light Swap Challenge at El Cosmico.

Rewards included cash prizes that were given out at a star party and award celebration held at El Cosmico.

Special thanks to MISD environmental sciences teacher, Elizabeth Donaldson, Superintendent Oscar Aguero, and Principal S. Luane Porter for supporting this program.

Press

Big Bend Sentinel, “Shorthorn Light Swap Challenge takes students door to door promoting dark skies” by Mary Cantrell. November 17, 2022.