The Coconino County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday welcomed representatives of the Flagstaff Dark Skies Coalition to accept an international honor for Flagstaff and to thank local officials and residents for long-running protection of night skies.

Danielle Adams of the Flagstaff Dark Skies Coalition described community and county collaboration that led to Flagstaff becoming the world's first international dark sky city in 2001 and said the "Dark Sky Place of the Year" award recognizes the city's continued leadership. "This award belongs to all of our residents," Adams said.

The board also adopted a proclamation designating 2026 "a year of peace, hope, prosperity and celebration," listing regional milestones including the county's 135th anniversary, the Route 66 centennial and Flagstaff's 25th dark-sky anniversary. The proclamation was agreed to by voice vote and signed by the board.

What's next: The county said it will partner with dark-sky advocates for next year's anniversary programming and support outreach to rural parts of Coconino County to spread best practices for night-sky stewardship.