Dark Skies Over Halfway (formerly NorthEast Oregon Stars ) is committed to preserving North East Oregon’s natural night skies. We raise awareness about light pollution’s harmful effects on wildlife, human health, and the environment. By promoting thoughtful lighting and low-impact astro-tourism, we aim to create a safe, serene environment through community collaboration, working toward International Dark Sky Association certification for Halfway. Our goal is to maintain a star-filled refuge, fostering wonder, health, and a connection with the universe for all generations.
Vision
We envision Halfway as a community where the night sky inspires well-being for everyone. Preserving the stars and promoting low-impact astro-tourism, we create a haven for all beings. Collaborating with our community, local government, tribal leaders, neighboring towns, businesses, and residents in the NE Panhandle area, we protect natural beauty. Our long-term goal extends to preserving night skies across the larger North East region of Oregon. With “Keep North East Oregon Dark,” we invite all to embrace and protect the universal beauty of our night sky, fostering belonging and shared responsibility.
History
This project came out of the work at Pine Valley 2050 over the last six months. Since then we have been working consistently through the process of becoming an official Dark Sky Community
Current Status – August 10, 2025
Committee & Status The Dark Skies Over Halfway (DSOH) committee includes Rachel Cairns (Secretary), Pam Conley (Chair & Treasurer), Tom Nash, Michael Ross, Sally Robaugh, Diana Adams, Liz McLellan, Kim Jones, and Shannon Nielson. This United Community Partners project will become “Dark Sky Halfway” once we receive official Dark Sky International designation. Our boundary follows Halfway’s urban growth boundary and can be adjusted for the final application.
Lighting Ordinance Progress We have a draft outdoor lighting ordinance nearly ready for Halfway City Council presentation. The ordinance is based on the approved Antelope, Oregon version.
July Light Survey Michael McKeag from Dark Sky Oregon visited July 16-17 to assist with our required outdoor light survey. Jean Fennern completed an excellent baseline survey last year documenting all city and Idaho Power fixtures. The survey process involves daytime fixture mapping, then nighttime measurements of color, brightness, and light direction. This data creates our compliance plan – dark sky certification focuses on healthy light color, appropriate brightness, and targeted illumination rather than eliminating lights.
Night Sky Monitoring During July’s new moon phase, we conducted our first night sky light pollution survey using two handheld light meters at eight Pine Valley locations. Results confirm very dark skies with clear Milky Way visibility. Monthly surveys will continue weather permitting to document sky darkness. Margaret Durner’s property has hosted a stationary meter for several years.
Community Events Our Dark Sky parties at the Fairgrounds drew strong attendance, particularly families with young children. These events encourage sky enjoyment and will expand to include local backyard astronomers and dark sky voluntary property guidance.
Oregon’s Competitive Dark Sky Advantage
GROUPS AND SOCIAL MEDIA
The Dark Skies Above Halfway Facebook group – Hopefully for friendly discussions and recruitment of folks who are in our region. To join the wider movement – become a member of Dark Sky International. They have immense resources and content as well as global events online and off. Join Dark Sky International as an Advocate. As an advocate you will help us become a recognized Dark Sky Chapter , Dark Sky Community and eventually perhaps a Dark Sky reserve or park. The more advocates and members we have in our region the more likely we will achieve our goals.
Let’s #keepnortheastoregondark – use our hashtag when you post on social media about dark sky, light pollution, images of the night sky where you are, bad outdoor lighting, wildlife – especially the nocturnal creatures, great outdoor lighting or anything that might interest the wider dark sky community. Help us raise awareness in North Eastern Oregon.
Dark Skies Over Halfway
Mission
Dark Skies Over Halfway (formerly NorthEast Oregon Stars ) is committed to preserving North East Oregon’s natural night skies. We raise awareness about light pollution’s harmful effects on wildlife, human health, and the environment. By promoting thoughtful lighting and low-impact astro-tourism, we aim to create a safe, serene environment through community collaboration, working toward International Dark Sky Association certification for Halfway. Our goal is to maintain a star-filled refuge, fostering wonder, health, and a connection with the universe for all generations.
Vision
History
This project came out of the work at Pine Valley 2050 over the last six months. Since then we have been working consistently through the process of becoming an official Dark Sky Community
Current Status – August 10, 2025
Committee & Status The Dark Skies Over Halfway (DSOH) committee includes Rachel Cairns (Secretary), Pam Conley (Chair & Treasurer), Tom Nash, Michael Ross, Sally Robaugh, Diana Adams, Liz McLellan, Kim Jones, and Shannon Nielson. This United Community Partners project will become “Dark Sky Halfway” once we receive official Dark Sky International designation. Our boundary follows Halfway’s urban growth boundary and can be adjusted for the final application.
Lighting Ordinance Progress We have a draft outdoor lighting ordinance nearly ready for Halfway City Council presentation. The ordinance is based on the approved Antelope, Oregon version.
July Light Survey Michael McKeag from Dark Sky Oregon visited July 16-17 to assist with our required outdoor light survey. Jean Fennern completed an excellent baseline survey last year documenting all city and Idaho Power fixtures. The survey process involves daytime fixture mapping, then nighttime measurements of color, brightness, and light direction. This data creates our compliance plan – dark sky certification focuses on healthy light color, appropriate brightness, and targeted illumination rather than eliminating lights.
Night Sky Monitoring During July’s new moon phase, we conducted our first night sky light pollution survey using two handheld light meters at eight Pine Valley locations. Results confirm very dark skies with clear Milky Way visibility. Monthly surveys will continue weather permitting to document sky darkness. Margaret Durner’s property has hosted a stationary meter for several years.
Community Events Our Dark Sky parties at the Fairgrounds drew strong attendance, particularly families with young children. These events encourage sky enjoyment and will expand to include local backyard astronomers and dark sky voluntary property guidance.
Oregon’s Competitive Dark Sky Advantage
GROUPS AND SOCIAL MEDIA
The Dark Skies Above Halfway Facebook group – Hopefully for friendly discussions and recruitment of folks who are in our region.
To join the wider movement – become a member of Dark Sky International. They have immense resources and content as well as global events online and off.
Join Dark Sky International as an Advocate. As an advocate you will help us become a recognized Dark Sky Chapter , Dark Sky Community and eventually perhaps a Dark Sky reserve or park.
The more advocates and members we have in our region the more likely we will achieve our goals.
Dark Sky Videos
Social Media
Let’s #keepnortheastoregondark – use our hashtag when you post on social media about dark sky, light pollution, images of the night sky where you are, bad outdoor lighting, wildlife – especially the nocturnal creatures, great outdoor lighting or anything that might interest the wider dark sky community. Help us raise awareness in North Eastern Oregon.
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