VALUING DARKNESS
SYMPOSIUM & ROUNDTABLE
19 - 21 March 2025
Melbourne City Conference Centre
About the event
Join this comprehensive exploration of dark sky initiatives and their profound impact across various fields. The Valuing Darkness Symposium, taking place from 19 - 21 March in Melbourne, is a pivotal event for professionals and advocates who care about the future of our night skies. This three-day gathering will bring together experts from across the nation to delve into the critical challenges of light pollution and the preservation of dark skies, addressing topics that affect urban planning, ecology, human health, and cultural heritage.
​
Why Attend?
The Valuing Darkness Symposium offers a unique platform for those passionate about protecting our night skies to engage in meaningful dialogue and collaboration. Whether you're a lighting designer, urban planner, environmentalist, or simply someone who values the natural night, this event provides invaluable insights and practical solutions. Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in thought-provoking symposium sessions, roundtable discussions (initiation only), and hands-on workshops on Dark Sky Hacks and Dark Sky Placemaking—innovative approaches to reducing light pollution and creating environments that prioritise natural darkness.
​
The symposium is co-hosted by leading organisations, including the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES), the International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD), and the Network for Ecological Research on Artificial LIght (NERAL). It is organized and managed by the Australasian Dark Sky Alliance (ADSA), a key player in dark sky advocacy, and supported by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW).
​
Don’t miss this unparalleled opportunity to be at the forefront of the dark sky movement and contribute to preserving our starry nights for future generations.
Proposed Program
Day 1: March 19
- Cultural Connection
- Ecology
- Community Outreach and Engagement
- Astronomy, and
- Human Health
Day 1 will feature expert presentations and panel discussions on the ecological impacts of light pollution, community engagement strategies, and the importance of dark skies for both human health and astronomical research.
Day 2: March 20
- Australian Dark Sky Places
- Policy Development and Delivery
- Industry Involvement
- Design Innovations
Day 2 will delve into the designation and management of dark sky places, the development of effective policies, industry contributions, and innovative design solutions.
Day 3: March 21
- Creating a dark sky place (10am – 12pm)
Sponsored and Hosted by the Jump Up Dark Sky Reserve, Dark Sky International and the Australasian Dark Sky Alliance
Are you passionate about preserving the night sky and wondering where to start? This workshop is for you!
Join this engaging session to explore the steps to create a dark sky place. Through a series of structured activities, you will generate ideas and actionable paths to initiate conversations with your local council or community groups about night sky-friendly lighting.
The goal is to identify effective pathways and actions to make your community more dark-sky-friendly. By collaborating and supporting each other, we can build a nationwide network of like-minded advocates, working together to protect our night skies.
Let’s take the first steps together toward darker skies in our communities.
- Dark Sky Hacks for Local Government (1pm – 3pm)
Practical workshop on managing safety and amenity whilst limiting light spill, energy and ecosystems impacts.
Join us for a hands-on workshop focused on reducing light pollution and promoting sustainable lighting in your community. Discover the impact of wasted light, explore easy and effective hacks for change, and learn best practices for sports grounds, street lighting, and more. Gain insights from case studies and local government early adopters. Make sure your Council is implementing best practice sustainable lighting and find out what it takes to be a leader in the fight against light pollution!
Relevant for: Australian local governments, sustainability managers, urban planners and managers of lighting assets. Sponsored and Hosted by Ironbark Sustainability, Standards Australia and the Australasian Dark Sky Alliance
- Roundtable Event – Invitation only (10am – 4pm)
** Subject to change
Key Dates
Speaker registrations close - 30 September, 2024
Program released - 30 September, 2024
Early Bird ends - 30 October, 2024
Accommodation bookings close -30 January 2025
Sponsors
Selux
Australian Age of Dinosaurs
Opticity by Ironbark
Show you care, too!
Support our mission to create policy to reduce light pollution and promote the importance of dark skies for the environment, wildlife, and human health.
​
By joining us as a sponsor, you can make a real difference in protecting our precious night environment.
Your sponsorship will not only support our initiatives, but will provide you with valuable benefits such as logo placement, branding opportunities, and the satisfaction of knowing that you are contributing to a meaningful cause.
Let's create a brighter future for our dark skies!​
Contact outreach@ausdarksky.org for more information
Speakers
Keynote Speakers
Shanthakumar Wilson Rajaratnam
_edited.jpg)
Tristan Simpson
Alicia Dimovski
Caesar San Miguel
Noam Levin
Paul Brown
Sheryn Pitman
Kaori Yokochi
Jean-Cecil Gaillot
Peter Swanton
Naomi Miles
Mariana Mayer-Pinto
Ken Wishaw
Ellen Cieraad
Toby Murdoch
David Bird
Theresa Jones
Kellie Pendoley
Gareth Davies
Miriam Shevland
Carol Redford
Connie Walker
Doug Sprigg
Janine Manuel
Fred Watson
Kate Hofmeister
Duane Hamacher
Chris Lidman
Jessica McKelson
Chris Tugwell
Jessica Heim
Roundtable Attendees
We are delighted to announce that the following organisations have confirmed their participation in the first-ever Australia roundtable event on mitigating light pollution.
Over fifty organizations have been invited to attend this roundtable, covering all aspects of light pollution and its environmental impacts.
If you would like to join us, please contact us at outreach@ausdarksky.org.
