First-ever Hill Country Alliance Night Sky Preservation Fund is accepting submissions

Now through Oct. 31, organizations based in the Hill Country can apply for financial assistance for efforts related to keeping the night skies dark – keeping starry views visible by preventing light pollution. This is the first such funding opportunity for night sky protection in the region. The Hill Country Alliance Night Sky Preservation Fund will give up to $5,000 in reimbursement funds to “locally led work to improve outdoor lighting, decrease wasted energy costs and to reduce light pollution and its negative effects,” a recent press release says, and is being funded by the Coypu Foundation. Among those eligible for funding are regional nonprofit organizations, sole proprietorships, local governmental entities and small businesses, specifically those serving Bandera, Bexar, Blanco, Burnet, Comal, Edwards, Gillespie, Hays, Kendall, Kerr, Kimble, Kinney, Lampasas, Llano, Mason, Medina, Real, San Saba, Travis, Uvalde, Val Verde or Williamson counties. The types of eligible projects include International Dark Sky Place applications, lighting retrofit projects, education and outreach resources, and groups interested in pursuing recognition through HCA’s Night Sky Friendly Businesses or Neighborhood programs. A virtual information session is scheduled for 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 8. For details on the application process, contributing to the fund or how to register for the information session, visit hillcountryalliance.org/nightskyfund.