When the sun goes down, Wairarapa lights up! For the fortnight April 13–27, star-gazers are inviting you to step out and look up. Nature lovers are shining a spotlight on the nocturnal natural world.
The project brings together International Dark Sky Week and Conservation Week in one region-wide celebration of the night skies and after-dark wildlife.
What is “Nature at Night”? It’s a programme of local events, displays and storytelling to help Wairarapa reconnect with what’s right outside the back door. World-class stargazing in our International Dark Sky Reserve and weird and wonderful critters that come alive at dusk.
Lonely Planet has already put the region’s dark skies on the global map, and now it’s time for locals to experience the magic.
During International Dark Sky week there are plenty of ways to GO DARK.
Step out and be part of the global citizen science project Globe at Night and record how dark the skies are.
Bats are flitting freely through the programme by way of formal talks, by bat watching experiences and in a story setting.
Martinborough Storywalk is hosting the book “Matt the Bat,” which tells of when a bat won Bird of the Year.
Or help improve the nightscape by checking how dark sky friendly your home is by completing the Dark Sky Reserve’s home assessment guide.
No matter how you do it, the two-week project provides everyone with the opportunity to step out, look up and appreciate how special these night skies are. And, importantly, how we can protect and preserve them.
If you are a business, you can join the Dark Sky Connections event hosted at Copthorne Solway on Wednesday 15 April.
It’s a chance to connect with local astro-tourism providers, Destination Wairarapa, Business Wairarapa and Wairarapa Dark Sky to talk over or test out your ideas or simply find some ways to leverage the opportunity in your own business.
Guest speaker Nalayini Brito, Chair of Dark Sky International, will join us during the week to share her passion for the dark sky movement and the range of opportunities it offers.
Martinborough locals can enjoy sipping a specially-brewed Dark Sky Stout at Martinborough Brewery, where $1.00 from each drink sold will be donated to Wairarapa Sky. Cheers to that!
Check out all events and activities at: www.wairarapadarksky.nz/nature-at-night
