Historic Keweenaw lodge applying to become Upper Peninsula’s first international dark sky park

COPPER HARBOR, MICH. -- The historic Keweenaw Mountain Lodge in Michigan’s remote Keweenaw Peninsula is pursuing being named an International Dark Sky Park.

Coordinators at the lodge began the rigorous application process a few months ago. Approval could happen as early as this summer, making the lodge and its 177-acre property the first International Dark Sky Park in the Upper Peninsula.

“It just seemed like a natural thing for us to do up here,” said Mariah Summers, the lodge’s events department lead. “We’re so far from any light pollution. We’re basically surrounded by the lake. It’ll be a really cool thing to add to the Keweenaw.”

The lodge already had been working on dark-sky protection measures, such as swapping out outdoor lighting for night-sky friendly options, when it began the rigorous application process to to be named an International Dark Sky Park — an exceptional distinction that can only be awarded by the Arizona-based International Dark-Sky Association.

Other steps required to apply for dark-sky park status include taking dark-sky readings, developing a lighting management plan, and creating public educational programming about the importance of dark skies and the harm that light pollution causes humans and wildlife. The lodge already offers stargazing events such as star parties and astrophotography workshops.

The lodge also has had to obtain support letters from the local community and beyond — which hasn’t been difficult, Summers said.

“When we first started this process we didn’t really know how many people would be so appreciative of what we’re doing,” she said, adding that everyone from local businesses to the Michigan Nature Association and Pure Michigan are backing their efforts. “We have a pretty good, strong support system and they’re all rooting for us.”

If the application is approved, the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge will become Michigan’s third International Dark Sky Park. The other two are the Headlands International Dark Sky Park, located near Mackinaw City, and Dr. Lawless International Dark Sky Park in the southwest Lower Peninsula.

For updates and more information on the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge and its night-sky offerings, visit keweenawmountainlodge.com/activities/stargazing/ or follow the lodge on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.