SALT LAKE CITY, Utah— April 2021 is officially “Utah Dark Sky Month” in the state after Gov. Spencer Cox signed an official declaration Monday.
To celebrate, Cox wants folks to visit one of Utah’s 23 accredited International Dark Sky places, which are listed further down in this story.
In a news release, Cox stated:
Dark skies are integral to the well-being of many animal and plant species, and they have positive health impacts on humans. The astrotourism industry is anticipated to generate nearly $6 billion and support more than 113,000 new jobs in the American Southwest over the next decade. And The implementation of dark sky practices in land use, construction, utilities, and other aspects of community life actively promotes local governance, reduces energy-costs, and preserves Utah’s Western lifestyle.”
Cox said Utah partnered with federal, state, and local agencies, as well as Utah’s recreation, tourism, and education sectors to “make night sky opportunities in our state available for all to enjoy.”
The Utah Office of Tourism has posted these resources to help families plan dark sky trips:
- Stargazing tips
- Dark sky road trips
- Dark sky photography advice
According to Cox, 80% of people in North America can’t see the Milky Way at night.
