The Nature Conservancy of Canada has announced the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada has designated the Old Man on His Back Prairie and Heritage Conservation Area ranch as a nocturnal preserve.
The OMB ranch is owned and managed by NCC in Saskatchewan.
This designation highlights NCC鈥檚 commitment to protect the dark night environment for wildlife and guard against future light pollution in the area. It also features OMB as a rare place for visitors to enjoy dark night skies and study astronomy. NCC is committed to maintaining minimal use of artificial light and to monitor light pollution at OMB.
鈥淲e are very proud to have been awarded this designation,鈥 says Mark Wartman, regional vice-president for the NCC, Saskatchewan region.
鈥淭he importance of protecting dark night skies against light pollution is just beginning to be understood. In addition to land conservation, NCC now accommodates another aspect of our natural environment, that of dark night skies.鈥
The RASC created its nocturnal preserve designation to raise awareness about the health and environmental value of dark nights for both wildlife and humans. A nocturnal preserve has minimal artificial light, non-lighted signage and structures that confine external illumination. As a nocturnal preserve, OMB will offer visitors the opportunity to experience the sights and sounds of a natural night.
鈥淎rtificial night light can change the night environment with a profound impact on the ecological balance of an area,鈥 says Robert Dick, chairperson of the Light Pollution Abatement Committee of the RASC.
鈥淧reventing outdoor lighting, or at least minimizing its impact, is a major step in the overall protection of our nocturnal environment. And NCC鈥檚 OMB ranch is an ideal setting as a nocturnal preserve.鈥
The RASC鈥檚 Nocturnal Preserve designation, part of the Dark Sky Preserve Program, is the newest of three RASC designations that aim to promote the protection of quality night sky and minimize light pollution. The RASC also awards the Dark Sky Preserve and the Urban Star Park designations. NCC鈥檚 OMB Ranch is among the first in Canada to be designated a nocturnal preserve.
鈥淭he OMB ranch has always attracted nature and hiking enthusiasts, and those curious about the genetically-pure plains bison managed here by NCC,鈥 says Natalie Nikiforuk, natural area manager for southwestern Saskatchewan, NCC.
鈥淭his designation adds another dimension to ranch visitors` experiences. We anticipate a host of astronomers, novice and otherwise, will visit the ranch to view its rich night skies.鈥
The NCC also manages a herd of genetically-pure plains bison that live on the 13,135-acre ranch, located near Claydon in southwestern Saskatchewan.