used with the permission of INTEGRA Works, ©2007
Just over nine years ago, my wife Kate and I arrived here in Muskoka to start our life anew. It truly was a new beginning. New jobs, new community, new friends, new challenges, and the start of what was supposed to be a quaint little sideline business. We were seduced by thoughts of living in an Eden, surrounded by nature, enjoying a calm and serene balance between family, work, and community.
One of the most special and magical things that enchanted us about this place was the fantastic and astounding view of the night sky. The star gazing here is to die for! And after 31 years of living in Toronto, I had pretty much no clue what the real night sky was about. We couldn't get enough of it. We set alarms so that we could get up out of bed to watch meteor showers at their peak. I even remember lying down in our parkas on a -30 degree night in January to view some special astronomical event! Not long after that we were lent our first telescope. It's true; we were hooked.
Now here is the twist...somewhere along the line I had decided that it might be a smart thing to open a little outdoor lighting business. Nothing big mind you. Just a sideline thing that I would enjoy doing and would bring some added revenues to the Solecki family. I thought; "Wouldn't it be interesting to bring my background in stage and theatrical lighting to the outdoor environment?"
It was right around this time that I first heard of the Torrance Barrens Dark Sky Reserve. In fact, before coming here, I had never heard of Dark Sky anything! Shortly after opening my business I heard musings of lighting regulations and codes that were being developed to reduce and eliminate light pollution. What's this? Is my fledgling business about to be outlawed before I pay my first taxes? Things were not looking too bright.
That was the turning point. It was at that moment that I decided I had better figure out what all this "Dark Sky Friendly" fuss was about and find some way to improve things, or close up shop and find something else to do. What a difference 9 years can make.
Today, I am happy to say, the Dark Sky / Light Pollution Abatement movement is strong and growing stronger every month. People are starting to look up and notice. They see
the ever-encroaching spread of sky glow creeping into their beloved Muskoka. They are bothered by the seemingly unending sources of glare and light trespass that spread across our lakes and communities. They are finding it harder and harder to view the Stars, Planets and the Milky Way as they once did. And they are concerned with newly discovered conditions that implicate light pollution as a serious threat to the environment, our ecology and human health.
Light pollution, it would appear, is everywhere. It is emanating from all of the coach lights and floodlights on our homes, cottages and boathouses, from the billboards on the highways and from the buildings and parking lots of our commercial developments. Not a night goes by now that I am not confronted with a newfound source of light pollution.
Most recently, on a late night boat ride with my bride, I discovered, to our great dismay, that a little variety/ice cream/grocery store in a small village dominated by a swing bridge has installed a massive High Intensity Discharge flood light under their flag pole. Although probably not done with any intended malice, this single source of direct uplight is forming a halo of light in the sky over the area. And to think, they are not even open for business after dark!
Most recently, on a late night boat ride with my bride, I discovered, to our great dismay, that a little variety/ice cream/grocery store in a small village dominated by a swing bridge has installed a massive High Intensity Discharge flood light under their flag pole. Although probably not done with any intended malice, this single source of direct uplight is forming a halo of light in the sky over the area. And to think, they are not even open for business after dark!
But it doesn't have to be this way. Each of us has it within our grasp to make a difference. We can all easily reduce our light pollution footprint by going outside at night and taking an objective look at our property. Once we know what to look for it isn't hard to make a big difference. Simply re-lamping your fixtures with low wattage bulbs can help. Or even better, install dimmers on all your existing outdoor lighting. This gives you control over light levels and can drastically reduce glare and light trespass conditions. If you have neighbours whose soffit or wall mounted floodlights are shining directly into your windows (the most common complaint I receive from residents) then don't be shy about politely talking to them about it. In most cases people are not aware that they are causing an annoyance. Also, don't be shy about being a community watchdog. If there is a commercial or municipal property nearby that is the source of light pollution, don't be afraid to confront the owner or manager about it. With all of the different effective and efficient outdoor lighting options available today, there is not much of a case for any business to risk upsetting their marketplace by continuing to use the polluting lighting systems of the past.
James Solecki lives with his wife Kate and their children in Port Sydney. He owns and operates INTEGRA Works ~ Custom Lighting Solutions where he designs and installs outdoor lighting systems. James is an active Dark Sky Advocate and amateur astronomer.
used with the permission of INTEGRA Works, ©2007
Q: Are all 12 volt fixtures and equipment the same with regard to function and quality?
A: No, like anything else there are different grades of 12 volt lighting available. The most readily available are fixture kits found at local warehouse stores. Though these fixtures have their place in certain landscapes, they are limited with regard to durability and flexibility when compared to professional quality equipment.
What you get when you purchase cheap outdoor lighting:
- Plastic materials which warp, fade, and crack in harsh weather
- No options for lamp variability in case you want to increase or decrease the wattage
- Cheap lamps
- Limited wire length for set-up options
- No options for accessories or slight changes to fit your situation
- Very limited warranties
- Connection components not approved for direct burial (how are you supposed to install landscape lighting without burying connections?)
- Spread lenses which block more light than they end up spreading
- No contact information for tech support or customer service (often off-shore companies)
- Plastic stakes which increase the chance of serious electrical shock
- Transformers lacking UL and CSA listings (safety regulations)
- Systems that only last a year or two before needing replacement
Nightscaping® has set the 12 volt standard for quality since 1959.
used with the permission of INTEGRA Works, ©2007
Tuck the Nightscaping® Railiter under a handrail and this fixture becomes virtually invisible until nightfall beckons it to action. You can use the Railiter to provide excellent traverse lighting from controlled 3'-4' pools of downlight for safety lighting on steps or lighting for decks and docks. Try it under a bench or hidden in eaves for a truly alluring lighting effect.
Use the La Paloma Liter anywhere a functional bollard type pathlight is needed. The La Paloma Liter provides safety and traverse lighting to steps, walkways, decks and docks. This is the perfect fixture for large community spaces, parks, public walking trails and recreational areas. Available in multiple finishes and backed by a 10 year guarantee the La Paloma Liter is sure to extend the useable hours of the landscape and add evening beauty to any outdoor environment.
It is hard to find a more functional fixture to use for illuminating paths or walkways. The Footliter has set the industry standard for traverse lighting requirements for nearly forty years. Hidden within plant materials during the day, this functional fixture comes alive at night with nine foot circles of light to accent low flower beds or for safety lighting around the steps, paths and drives present in the landscape.
It Is A Wasps Nest!
Good thing we weren't offering any free products for correct guesses. Almost everyone guessed correctly, with a few varying opinions of specifically what kind of wasp nest it is. Here are some of the responses we got:
- European Paper Wasp Nest, Gregg
- A Paper Wasp Nest being built on top of an LO93 lamp, Steve
- A Mud Wasp, Ron
- Howdy it looks like a Wasps Nest, Roy
- A Pinecone?, Robin
1705 E. Colton Avenue, Redlands CA 92374
ph:909-794-2121 toll free:800-544-4840 fax:909-794-7292 email:info@nightscaping.com