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Pinal County proclaims April 21–28 International Dark Sky Week, asks residents to "go lights out" April 21
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Summary
The board proclaimed April 21–28, 2025 as International Dark Sky Week and encouraged residents to turn off outdoor lights for a 30-minute lights-out event on April 21 to raise awareness about light pollution and celestial tourism.
The Pinal County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a proclamation declaring April 21–28, 2025, as International Dark Sky Week and asked residents to observe a countywide lights-out period for 30 minutes on Monday, April 21 from 8:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
James Daniels, Pinal County director of communications and marketing, introduced the proclamation and noted events listed at pinal.gov/darkskies. “We ask residents across Pinal County to go lights out,” Daniels said as he described coordinated local events and outreach.
Advocates attending the meeting said the proclamation recognizes local efforts to limit light pollution and promote astronomy-related tourism. Sam Miller, vice chair of the Southern Arizona Dark Sky Chapter, and Mike Wiesner, a dark-sky advocate from Oracle, joined staff for the presentation and the proclamation photo.
Why it matters
Speakers told the board that protecting dark skies supports tourism, scientific observation and local ecosystems. The proclamation cited the county's existing outdoor lighting ordinance and referenced Arizona's astronomical facilities and observatories.
Board action
A supervisor moved to adopt the proclamation; the motion was seconded and the board approved it by voice vote. After the vote the board joined advocates and staff for a photograph to publicize the lights-out event.
Ending
The county’s dark-sky webpage lists local events and encourages residents to observe the April 21 lights-out period to experience the night sky and raise public awareness about light pollution.
