Established in 1988, the International Dark-Sky Association is an educational, environmental 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to preserving and protecting the natural nighttime environment and our heritage of dark skies through environmentally responsible outdoor lighting.
In the last thirty years, IDA has become the leading advocate and recognized authority for preserving and protecting the night environment and has taken the lead in identifying and publicizing the adverse impacts of artificial lighting on wildlife, the environment, and human health.
We accomplish our mission, nationally and internationally, through the work our 65-plus chapters, located in over 15 different countries. IDA is governed by an international board of directors, which includes astronomers, scientists, light pollution advocates, and lighting engineers and designers.
IDA also proactively advances light pollution abatement by working with manufacturers, planners, legislators, and citizens to provide lighting options that are energy efficient, cost-effective, and dark sky friendly.
Examples of current projects and accomplishments include our work with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) / Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), our “Losing the Dark†educational film, the International Dark Sky Places Programs, our Model Lighting Ordinance, and the Fixture Seal of Approval program.