DarkSky Iowa
James Bruton
Tue, Sept 8th 7PM
First Presbyterian Church, Lower Level
9th & Main, Cedar Falls
Refreshments will be served
First Presbyterian Church, Lower Level
9th & Main, Cedar Falls
Refreshments will be served
Click this Zoom link to connect to our virtual meetings.
Meeting ID is 581 087 8571 and the passcode is 1999
Meeting ID is 581 087 8571 and the passcode is 1999
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Photo of a hilltop barn beneath the Milky Way near Council Bluffs by Buck Christensen Photography. Photo courtesy of DarkSky Iowa |
Join us for our first program of the season featuring James Bruton, who founded DarkSky Iowa to raise awareness of light pollution and promote responsible outdoor lighting to protect Iowa's rural character, wildlife, and quality of life.
Iowa’s natural night skies are more than a beautiful backdrop—they are an important part of our state’s habitat, heritage, and quality of life. In this presentation, James Bruton will explore how artificial light at night affects birds, bats, insects, pollinators, and the broader ecosystems they depend on. He’ll also discuss what light pollution looks like in Iowa, why darkness is an important conservation resource, and how communities and individuals can reduce unnecessary light without sacrificing safety or convenience. The program will leave attendees with practical, achievable steps they can take to help protect Iowa’s night skies and the wildlife that depends on them. Check out this Summer 2026 online newsletter titled Dark Skies Over the Prairie for some great articles relating to this topic.
Bruton is a business consultant and strategic planning advisor who has spent more than 25 years helping organizations and communities strengthen their long-term success. He has worked with chambers of commerce, economic development organizations, nonprofits, and businesses across the United States, and he is a board member of the Iowa Wildlife Federation.
Check out our Links page to see these new resources related to dark skies and light pollution: DarkSky Iowa, Dark Skies - Iowa, Bortle Buddy - Light Pollution/Dark Sky Map Look up your address on the Bortle Buddy map and see how dark your skies are! Ideally, you want a Bortle rating of 3 or below for good dark sky views.
Check out these Bortle ratings:
1–2: Extremely dark; Milky Way casts shadows; galaxies like M33 visible to the naked eye
3: Rural sky; galactic core obvious; many Messier objects visible
4–5: Suburban fringe; Milky Way visible overhead; bright Messier objects clear
6–7: Bright suburban; Milky Way faint or absent; planets and Moon still excellent
8–9: City/inner‑city; only brightest stars, Moon, and planets visible
Go explore!
Wednesday Morning Birding is back! See details on our Field Trips page.
Plus, see details for field trips in Buchanan County on that page too!
Join the last Prairie Walk @ Irvine Prairie located at 1174 55th St, Dysart, Iowa on Mon, Sept 28, 6pm: UNI Professors will share information about research projects at Irvine Prairie. In the event of inclement weather, the walk will be moved to the following Monday. See the Tall Grass Prairie Center website for details about this prairie and others.
In the Sky: September 2026
Please click the link above to see David Voigts' article about what will be happening in the sky during September. Of special interest is the Sun setting straight in the west on the autumnal equinox that ends summer in the northern hemisphere.
The silence of a falling star
lights up a purple sky.
-Hank Williams. I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry. 1949.
Climate Change Responsibility
David Voigts' article entitled "Letter: Don't Vote for Candidates Who Won't Fight Climate Change" is available via this link. David's article is a reminder to all of us about our responsibility to the environment and our planet especially when making election year choices.
National Audubon Society - Conservation Alert:
Roadless Rule Rollback Threatens Midwest’s Last Wild Forests |
The administration's Forest Service is threatening to strip protections from nearly 45 million acres of wildlands within our national forests. The protections have been particularly vital in the Midwest, where less than 200,000 acres of roadless land survived the widespread logging of the past two centuries. From Southern Illinois’ Shawnee National Forest to the Black Hills of South Dakota, from Michigan’s Upper Peninsula to Indiana’s Hoosier National Forest, these are some of our region’s most cherished wild places. Increased road building and logging is expected to exacerbate wildfire risks and downstream water pollution, as forests lose their natural ability to filter pollutants. The Forest Service is accepting comments on this proposal until September 21. If this is a matter that you feel strongly about, please click the button below to ensure these treasured Midwest landscapes remain protected for generations to come. |
| Submit My Comment |
Save the Dates & Join Us!
Our 2026-27 programs have been set for your enjoyment and edification! Join us the 2nd Tuesday of each month, bring a friend & gather with others who enjoy nature & value conservation.
Our 2026-27 programs have been set for your enjoyment and edification! Join us the 2nd Tuesday of each month, bring a friend & gather with others who enjoy nature & value conservation.
Sept 8th: DarkSky Iowa
Oct 13th: Neil Hamilton, Through Nature's Lens
Nov 10th: Craig Meyers - Africa!
No meeting in December, but join us for Christmas Bird Counts!
Jan 12th: Alaska Wilderness League (Zoom only)
Feb 9th: Sandhill Cranes in Iowa
March 9th: Anna Buckardt Thomas - MOTUS towers & Osprey in Iowa
April 13th: Iowa Raptor Project with LIVE BIRDS!
May 11th: Annual potluck & program with fun interactive quiz
Click the Photos link on menu above to view.
Find us, like & share our posts on Facebook
Subscribe to the PRAS Audubon YouTube Channel to view past programs
Submit a proposal for our consideration via the PRAS Grant Application Form to help your organization secure funding for a project that supports our mission.
Consider donating to the PRAS Quasi or PRAS Permanent Endowment funds through the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa.
Call Black Hawk Wildlife Rehabilitation Project 319-939-4635
or if you are outside of our area, see other Iowa wildlife rehabilitators.