Celebrating & Protecting Our Dark Sky: How Light Pollution Affects the Climate, Biodiversity, and Our Health

Celebrating & Protecting Our Dark Sky:

How Light Pollution Affects the Climate, Biodiversity, and Our Health

at Starfield, home of the Manship Artists Residency

June 23, 2025, 6:30 to 8:00 PM

Reserve your spot and register for tickets here

Join us for a free event: Celebrating & Protecting Our Dark Sky: How Light Pollution Affects the Climate, Biodiversity and Our Health. Guests arrive at 6:30 PM for refreshments and drinks, the talks begin at 7PM. The presenters are a physician, a scientist, and an artist. They will talk about why our night sky needs protecting and why it is essential to life, our life and that of fellow species on the planet. The presenters will also offer solutions on what we can do to help keep the night sky dark.

The speakers are Mario Motta MD, who has been at the forefront of groundbreaking research on light pollution. He will give a presentation about light pollution’s effects on the climate, biodiversity, and human health. The second speaker, Public Artist Jenn Houle, will tell us about her ‘Dark Skies’ glow-in-the-dark murals at Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, as well as other public art projects she has initiated, such as ‘Plant Paint Cross-Pollinate’, a migrating butterfly mural project which focuses on the magical power of native plants to save pollinators and heal our planet. Jenn will bring examples of her artwork to share. Astrophysicist, Dr. William Waller, will start the program with a short talk about our planet’s biosphere.

There will also be information about Manship’s Starfield firefly project and the Gloucester Area Astronomy Club’s star parties.

This event is sponsored by Cape Ann Climate Coalition and Manship Artists Residency in partnership with the Gloucester Area Astronomy Club, Backyard Growers, Artists for the Great Marsh, and the Lanesville Community Center.

Register through the Manship Artists Residency website or here.