Dark Skies Movement Gathers Pace Across North York Moors and Howardian Hills
By Community Correspondent
Momentum is building across North Yorkshire as more residents take simple steps to tackle light pollution and protect the region’s night skies.
Three more villages have now achieved Dark Skies Friendly Community status, with several others awaiting accreditation across the North York Moors National Park and the Howardian Hills National Landscape.
According to Mike Hawtin, Head of Nature Recovery Projects and Dark Skies Lead Officer for the North York Moors National Park, around 2,500 people will soon be living within accredited communities.
The latest additions — Husthwaite in the Howardian Hills, and Lastingham and Sleightholme Dale in the North York Moors — join a growing network committed to preserving natural darkness.
Dozens more communities and businesses, including Bransdale, Goathland, and Botton, are also close to accreditation under the scheme, which is jointly run by the National Park and the Howardian Hills Partnership.
Funding comes from the Howardian Hills Partnership and, within the Moors, through Section 106 contributions from Anglo American to offset development impacts.
Speaking ahead of the Dark Skies Fringe Festival, Mr Hawtin said:
“We’ve been surprised at just how many communities want to become accredited. It’s a compelling, do-able aspect of conservation. While other environmental challenges can seem overwhelming, adjusting outdoor lighting is something people can do quickly — literally at the flick of a switch.”
The new Dark Skies Friendly Communities join others such as Ampleforth Abbey, Coxwold, and Hawnby in the North York Moors, and Bulmer, Crayke, and Terrington in the Howardian Hills.
Ellie Hook, Manager of the Howardian Hills National Landscape, said the initiative had “caught the imagination” of residents:
“Light pollution affects people and wildlife locally and globally. Empowering communities to be smarter with lighting has found an enthusiastic audience, and some of the projects we’ve supported look fantastic — showing what’s possible.”
Launched in 2024, the Dark Skies Friendly Community scheme recognises neighbourhoods that protect and enhance night sky quality.
More than 1,000 lighting fixtures have already been upgraded to dark sky-friendly standards across both protected landscapes.
Communities commit to lighting audits, demonstration projects, and ensuring at least 60% of lights meet the scheme’s standards. They also host at least two outreach events a year, such as dark skies walks.
Both the National Park and the Howardian Hills are also integrating dark skies principles into conservation and habitat work, with studies showing that insect populations can fall by up to 50% in brightly lit areas.
Mr Hawtin added:
“Protecting the night sky isn’t just about beauty — it’s about energy savings, wellbeing, biodiversity, and heritage. We’re not talking about darkness everywhere, but lighting that’s effective, responsible, and only used where needed.”
The Dark Skies Fringe Festival runs from 24 October to 2 November, with events across the North York Moors, Yorkshire Dales, and the Nidderdale and Howardian Hills National Landscapes.
For more programme information go to www.darkskiesnationalparks.org.uk
For more details on the Dark Skies Friendly Community Scheme Dark Skies Friendly Community scheme | NYMNP
If you have a positive story or uplifting news to share, we’d love to hear from you!
Just email us at news@goodnewspost.co.uk.
Whether it's a local hero, an act of kindness, or a personal win, your story could help spread joy and improve someone’s mental health. Let’s make the world a little brighter, one good news story at a time.
And don’t forget—you can sign up for free to get the latest feel-good stories straight to your inbox!
