DarkSky Texas - Formerly IDA Texas

First Wednesday 7PM: Dark Sky Place Coaching
2025-11-05
Working on an International Dark Sky Place application? Join us at 7:00PM on the first Wednesday of each month (with the exception of Jan 2025 when the event will be Jan 8th). See full list of events for more info.

11 Nov 2025 7-8:30 PM DarkSky Texas Board Meeting (Open to all Volunteers)
2025-11-11 19:00 - 20:30 (America/New_York)
Review the Agenda and Join us! The agenda has the link to join the meeting.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1LRnNViIoW6NzD5R1tlhKEyClZRSId-1J/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=105677860306105778141&rtpof=true&sd=true

First Wednesday 7PM: Dark Sky Place Coaching
2025-12-03 00:00 - 23:59, 2026-01-07 19:00 - 20:30, 2026-02-04 19:00 - 20:30, 2026-03-04 19:00 - 20:30, 2026-04-01 19:00 - 20:30, 2026-05-06 19:00 - 20:30, 2026-06-03 19:00 - 20:30, 2026-07-01 19:00 - 20:30 and 5 more dates
Working on an International Dark Sky Place application? Join us at 7:00PM on the first Wednesday of each month. See full list of events for more info.

Jan 8th - Protecting Dark Skies for Plants and all Living Things at Native Plant Society - Williamson County Chapter Meeting
2026-01-08 19:00 - 20:30
Cindy’s talk will explore the natural world and the processes that depend on the absence of artificial light. It will include a number of species but will emphasize issues that plants have with artificial lighting. Issues of navigation, reproduction, circadian rhythms, photoperiodism, competition, predation, and general habitat protection will be covered. It will also touch on some issues that humans have with artificial light at night. The talk wraps up with a review of what each of us can do to protect living things during the nighttime.

Jan 15th Wilson County Beautification Association Speakers Forum
2026-01-15 18:30 - 19:30
Preservation of the Night
Are we ignoring half of the conservation work that needs to be done? Cindy will explore the natural world and its processes that depend on the absence of artificial light. Living things need natural darkness for navigation, reproduction, circadian rhythms, photoperiodism, competition, predation, and general habitat protection. We humans need it too. Learn what we can do to extend our conservation work to the nighttime.

March 6-8, 2026 DarkSky Texas Statewide Volunteer and Leader Gathering
2026-03-06 - 2026-03-08
Gathering of DarkSky Texas volunteers and leaders to meet in person in Fredericksburg, TX. We will have the opportunity to be updated on our organization, strengthen communication, enhance innovation, build new skills, and prioritize future goals for the organization.
Registration form for Leaders and Volunteers will be available soon.

Bird Lovers Weekend in Bastrop May 1st & 2nd
2026-05-01 - 2026-05-02
The Bird Lover Weekend in Bastrop, Texas celebrates the city’s Bird City Texas designation with activities like the “Big Sit” birdwatching, bird-themed art walks, educational raptor programs, and the popular Fabulous Bird Hat contest. This free, family-friendly event features guided, bird-focused tours and workshops in local parks and downtown venues.
DarkSky Texas will provide an educational presentation on Saturday May 2nd from 11am to noon at the Lost Pines Art Center.
Key Events and Highlights :

FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2026
8:30am-10:00am – Birdwatching Little Hike – Bob Bryant Park
10:00am-10:30am – Meet the Purple Martins – Bob Bryant Park
12:00pm-8:00pm – In the Spotlight: Birdy Art – Bridges Emporium
4:00pm-4:30pm – Meet the Purple Martins – Bob Bryant Park
5:00pm-6:00pm – Beer and Bird Songs – 602 Brewing Co.
6:00pm-7:00pm – Bird Hat Contest – Bridges Emporium
6:00pm-7:00pm – Binocular Booth – Bridges Emporium
SATURDAY, MAY 2, 2026
8:30am-10:00am – Birdwatching Big Sit – Fisherman’s Park
9:00am-10:00am – Bird Sculptures Field Trip on Chestnut – start with Barred Owl at Film Alley
10:30am-11:00am – Meet the Purple Martins – Bob Bryant Park
10:00am-11:00am – Sky Kings Raptors Program – Lost Pines Art Center
11:00am-12:00pm – DarkSky Texas Program – Lost Pines Art Center
11:00am-2:00pm – Table Talks: Birdy Info Booths – Lost Pines Art Center
11:00am-2:00pm – Kids Room: Birdy Activities – Lost Pines Art Center
12:00pm-1:00pm – Lunch break! BYO lunch and chat with local birders – Lost Pines Art Center
12:00pm-8:00pm – In the Spotlight: Birdy Art – Bridges Emporium
1:00pm-2:00pm – Bastrop Backyard Birds Presentation – Lost Pines Art Center
2:00pm-3:00pm – Meet the Purple Martins – Behind City Hall
5:30pm-6:00pm – Meet the Purple Martins – Behind City Hall
6:00pm-8:00pm – Art After Dark: “Free as a Bird” Art Show with Texas Artists & Live Music – Lost Pines Art Center

Bring The Milky Way Home
2026-05-08 20:30 - 22:30
Liberty Hill Community Star Party
Fun Event for the Family – Telescope demonstration by Williamson County Astronomy Club

Saturday, May 8th
8:30pm-10:30pm
River Ranch County Park

193 Reveille Way, Liberty Hill, TX 78642

$4.00 entry fee per person at the park gate (under 12 free, 65+ $2)

Bring your families, chairs & red flashlights to see the stars in our Milky Way & explore night!
Or buy an annual or state pass here:https://share.google/fG5Lg60qZjUh42Gbq

May 13th 7pm - Protecting Wildlife in Dark Sky Advocacy by Dr Travis Longcore
2026-05-13 19:00 - 20:30
Join us for a special presentation with Dr. Travis Longcore, a leading expert working at the crossroads of science, community planning, and dark skies, with a particular emphasis on wildlife. He will bring the science to life as he explains and categorizes the many ways artificial light affects species and ecosystems, from disrupting circadian rhythms in birds to fragmenting landscapes for puma and other wide-ranging animals. Dr. Longcore will then explore practical solutions, including effective shielding, reducing light intensity, and harnessing the powerful benefits of adjusting light spectrum to avoid the most disruptive colors.
Your participation will help build momentum for better lighting and healthier ecosystems. We also encourage you to invite your community and park planners to attend this event, so they can hear directly from an expert how to incorporate dark-sky principles into their projects.
Space is limited, so please register early to secure your spot. Registration Fee of $15 to cover our expenses for this program.
Zoom link to registration:
https://events.zoom.us/ev/AjNS73nFtHfU8gwRN0LXKXzP101KNMllva98rkHnisDBMOh4WY_c~AtDaMj7MmrG-ADLDy8c5YvDlDN8XSovEigA-lXRhW-XeVUYQMG-OxBkd5Q

Third Wednesday 12PM: Dark Sky Place Coaching
2026-06-17 12:00 - 13:30, 2026-07-15 12:00 - 13:30, 2026-08-19 12:00 - 13:30, 2026-09-16 12:00 - 13:30, 2026-10-21 12:00 - 13:30, 2026-11-18 12:00 - 13:30, 2026-12-16 12:00 - 13:30
Working on an International Dark Sky Place application? Join us at 12:00PM on the first Wednesday of each month. See full list of events for more info.
