Photo: Jackson Hendry on Unsplash.com

By Laura Durenberger-Grunow - Boreal Community Media - April 13, 2026

Governor Tim Walz has officially designated April 13–20, 2026, as Dark Sky Week in Minnesota, marking the third year in a row. This initiative, led by Minnesota-based nonprofit Starry Skies North, a regional chapter of DarkSky International, highlights how the "beauty and wonder of a natural night sky" serves as an important source of "inspiration, scientific discovery, and quiet reflection" for all who live here. 

Minnesota is home to specific dark-sky designated areas, including Voyageurs National Park and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (officially designated as an International Dark Sky Sanctuary). By issuing the proclamation, the state aims to bring attention to the growing issue of light pollution while also offering solutions.

The official proclamation from Governor Walz notes that light pollution has "scientifically established economic, environmental, and public health consequences." These impacts range from energy waste and increased carbon emissions to "impacts on human circadian rhythms and nighttime safety." 

Additionally, because Minnesota, and specifically the North Shore, sits along a "major migratory bird flyway" and provides habitat for many pollinators and nocturnal species, the state plays a critical role in protecting wildlife that relies on natural darkness for "navigation, feeding, and survival." 

According to Starry Skies North, while light pollution is expanding, it is a uniquely reversible problem that can be addressed through simple changes in how we illuminate our homes and businesses.

Minnesota Dark Sky Week

Throughout Dark Sky Week, the proclamation calls upon community members, businesses, and state organizations to adopt more responsible lighting practices. One primary way to get involved is through the Globe at Night citizen science project, which runs from April 9–18 and allows individuals to measure local light pollution and contribute to a global database. 

Additionally, community members are encouraged to turn off unnecessary outdoor lights and evaluate their home fixtures to ensure they are pointing downward, not outward or up toward the sky. 

For those looking to make permanent changes beyond Dark Sky Week, Starry Skies North has several resources on its website around effective lighting that prioritizes safety without sacrificing the night sky. On top of adjusting outdoor light fixtures to point downward, using motion sensors, timers, or dimmers can ensure that light is only active when and where it is truly useful. Finally, choosing "warm" spectrum LED bulbs (ones rated at 3000K or lower) can reduce the disruptive blue light that most heavily impacts the environment and human health.