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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/may/10/south-downs-recognised-for-quality-of-starry-nights
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| South Downs recognised for quality of starry nights South Downs recognised for quality of starry nights | |
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| The South Downs national park has been named as the world’s newest “international dark sky reserve” for the quality of its starry nights. | The South Downs national park has been named as the world’s newest “international dark sky reserve” for the quality of its starry nights. |
| England’s youngest national park won the accolade from the International Dark-Sky Association for providing dark skies “within reach” of nearly 17 million people living in Greater London and south-east England. | England’s youngest national park won the accolade from the International Dark-Sky Association for providing dark skies “within reach” of nearly 17 million people living in Greater London and south-east England. |
| The new reserve is the second dark sky reserve in England, along with Exmoor national park. | The new reserve is the second dark sky reserve in England, along with Exmoor national park. |
| It also joins two national parks in Wales - the Brecon Beacons and Snowdonia - as among just 11 areas worldwide to win status as international dark sky reserves. | It also joins two national parks in Wales - the Brecon Beacons and Snowdonia - as among just 11 areas worldwide to win status as international dark sky reserves. |
| Reserves are designated by the international body if they meet standards for night sky quality and natural darkness in a core area, with a peripheral area that supports preserving the dark sky at the core. | Reserves are designated by the international body if they meet standards for night sky quality and natural darkness in a core area, with a peripheral area that supports preserving the dark sky at the core. |
| The designation comes after national park ranger Dan Oakley and volunteers spent three years mapping the quality of night skies across the park, which has 2 million people living in or within three miles (5km) of its boundaries. | The designation comes after national park ranger Dan Oakley and volunteers spent three years mapping the quality of night skies across the park, which has 2 million people living in or within three miles (5km) of its boundaries. |
| Local authorities have also worked to replace 2,700 street lamps across the national park with LED lights which direct light downwards and reduce light pollution. | Local authorities have also worked to replace 2,700 street lamps across the national park with LED lights which direct light downwards and reduce light pollution. |
| The move to create a dark sky reserve was backed by more than 70 parish, town and county councils and other organisations and more then 1,300 people signed a “dark skies pledge”. | The move to create a dark sky reserve was backed by more than 70 parish, town and county councils and other organisations and more then 1,300 people signed a “dark skies pledge”. |
| In the future, the South Downs National Park Authority will use its role as a planning authority to protect the skies above the park as well as the landscape on the ground. | In the future, the South Downs National Park Authority will use its role as a planning authority to protect the skies above the park as well as the landscape on the ground. |
| Towns and cities on the edge of the park, which stretches through parts of Hampshire, West and East Sussex, include Portsmouth, Brighton and Hove, Eastbourne, Winchester and Chichester. | Towns and cities on the edge of the park, which stretches through parts of Hampshire, West and East Sussex, include Portsmouth, Brighton and Hove, Eastbourne, Winchester and Chichester. |
| Oakley said: “With the south of England under threat from losing its last few patches of properly dark skies this is a statement that the skies of the South Downs are worth protecting. | Oakley said: “With the south of England under threat from losing its last few patches of properly dark skies this is a statement that the skies of the South Downs are worth protecting. |
| “With 2 million people living within 5km of the national park, the reserve will be one of the most accessible in the world and certainly one of the most cared for.” | “With 2 million people living within 5km of the national park, the reserve will be one of the most accessible in the world and certainly one of the most cared for.” |
| The International Dark-Sky Association’s executive director, J Scott Feierabend, announced the designation. | The International Dark-Sky Association’s executive director, J Scott Feierabend, announced the designation. |
| He said: “It is remarkable that a true dark-sky experience remains within reach of nearly 17 million people in Greater London and south-east England, and a testament to the hard work of South Downs staff and area residents in keeping it that way.” | He said: “It is remarkable that a true dark-sky experience remains within reach of nearly 17 million people in Greater London and south-east England, and a testament to the hard work of South Downs staff and area residents in keeping it that way.” |
| Rural affairs minister Rory Stewart hailed the project, saying: “The South Downs national park is bringing communities not just an opportunity to see the English countryside at its finest, but also stars far beyond our planet.” | Rural affairs minister Rory Stewart hailed the project, saying: “The South Downs national park is bringing communities not just an opportunity to see the English countryside at its finest, but also stars far beyond our planet.” |