What ARE Dark Skies?
The NWNC Dark Skies Project is collaborating with thousands of Canadians to officially designate the areas of Narrow's Lock, Westport, Newboro, and Chaffey's as a Dark Sky Community. This designation signifies an area with low light pollution, ideal for stargazing and appreciating the beauty of the night sky.
As part of our efforts, we are documenting and monitoring the levels of light pollution in our regions. We have been using a light meter from Unihedron (Toronto) to record data, and we will be sharing our findings here.
Please follow us for regular updates on our progress in reducing the levels of light pollution and our ongoing efforts to achieve official Dark Sky status.
NWNC STAR PArTY EVENTS
The NWNC Dark Skies Project is hosting monthly Star Watching parties. With guidance from our crew of local astronomers, these events provide an opportunity to experience the night skies through telescopes and cameras. Please join our mailing list to stay updated on our upcoming parties and events. These events allow for an opportunity to experience the night skies through the lenses of telescopes and cameras. Please join our mailing list for more info on our upcoming parties and events.
Meet the Team
-
John Criswick
Project Manager/Dark Sky Advocate
-
Dustin Johnston
Community Outreach Co-ordinator/Dark Sky Advocate
-
Emily Hicks
Resident Astronomer/Dark Sky Advocate
-
Luc Gauthier
Lighting Systems Advisor/Dark Sky Advocate
-
Wayne Tetreault
Resident Astronomer/Dark Sky Advocate
-
Dave Anderson
Resident Astronomer/Dark Sky Advocate
Upcoming events
-
NWNC/Ecofest at The Cove Inn May 23 2026, 10AM-3PM
Join the NWNC Dark Skies Project at Ecofest Westport for info on protecting our region's pristine night skies. Chat with our team at The Cove Inn about dark-sky-friendly lighting, upcoming events, and how you can get involved!
Check out the 4th Annual EcoFest from Better Together Circke in Westport 10am-3pm. Regenerate, reciprocate, inspire. https://bettertogethercircle.org/ecofest-2026
-
Lights Out Westport
On Saturday, May 23, the NWNC Dark Skies Project invites the entire Westport community to help reclaim our view of the night sky. As a central part of Ecofest at The Cove Inn, the venue will be turning off all outdoor lighting at 7 PM for the Saturday Lights-Out event to demonstrate the impact of a dark sky. We encourage residents and local businesses across town to follow suit by dimming or turning off their lights at the same time.
In addition to the Saturday Lights-Out event, we are hosting two nights of stargazing in the inner courtyard at The Cove Inn on both Friday, May 22, and Saturday, May 23. These sessions offer a chance to view the stars firsthand. In the event of cloud cover, participants will gather at the bar instead.
Throughout this "lights out" weekend, our team will be measuring light intensity levels in Westport and at Foley Mountain. We invite everyone to participate in the blackout from home, regardless of whether you can attend the festivities in person. Reducing light pollution is a key initiative for the NWNC, as preserving the night sky enhances the character of our region and contributes to the long-term vitality of the Westport area.
The NWNC Dark Skies Project is committed to protecting regional starlight through community education and sustainable lighting practices, ensuring future generations can enjoy a clear view of the night sky from their own backyards.
Ecofest Event Details: https://bettertogethercircle.org/ecofest-2026 Learn more about our initiatives: https://nwnc.ca
An NWNC Dark Skies Project in collaboration with Top Shelf Distillers, Perth.
responsible lighting techniques
Make a donation
Your support can help drive the success of the NWNC Dark Sky Project. Every donation contributes to our efforts to protect the night sky and foster a sustainable future.