AUSTIN (KXAN) — The city of Liberty Hill hit a new milestone after it was designated an International Dark Sky Community. This means the city is now preserved for its nighttime environment.
DarkSky International designated this preservation, which makes Williamson County the first for such a community. It now joins 22 others that are “certified Dark Sky Places in Texas,” according to a news release from the city.
Dark Sky Places are all over the world, and the program “has certified more than 200 places since Flagstaff, Arizona was named the first International Dark Sky City in 2001,” according to the DarkSky website.
In an effort to preserve the nighttime environment in Liberty Hill, DarkSky protects certified places, which requires the use of “quality outdoor lighting, effective policies to reduce light pollution, ongoing stewardships practices and more,” according to the program’s website.
This comes after citizens in Liberty Hill formed a volunteer group, known as Liberty Hill Save Our Stars, during COVID-19 in 2020. The city said the group partnered with the Planning and Zoning commission and drafted an “Outdoor Lighting Ordinance,” which was then adopted in 2020.
Since that ordinance was passed, the city said it “inventoried more than 1,100 lights, initiated lighting retrofits across City Hall, the Stubblefield Building, and public parks. The city said it’s also “committed to completing all city retrofits,” which includes the streetlights that are maintained by Pedernales Electric Coop by August 2027.
“Becoming the first Dark Sky city in Williamson County is a proud moment for Liberty Hill and a shining example of what grassroots action can accomplish,” Donna Leonard, Founder of Liberty Hill Save Our Stars, said in the release. “For over four years, the volunteers of Liberty Hill Save Our Stars have worked tirelessly to protect our night skies—not just for ourselves, but for future generations. In Texas, the stars at night are supposed to be big and bright. This designation honors that heritage and reflects our community’s deep commitment to preserving what makes our Hill Country home so special.”
The city is located 33 miles northwest of Austin and is ” surrounded byscenic hills, historic architecture, and a vibrant small-town culture.”
“Founded in the mid-1800s, Liberty Hill has worked to balance its rapid growth with efforts to preserve its historic charm — and now, its night skies,” the city said.
The city’s Dark Sky Committee plans to partner with other Dark Sky Places to host workshops, launch a Tri-County Star Party and more, according to the city.
“Liberty Hill’s commitment to preserving the night sky is a shining example of what can happen when a community comes together with purpose and passion,” Cindy Luongo Cassidy, Board President of DarkSky Texas, said in the release. “This designation is more than a title—it’s a reflection of Liberty Hill’s regional leadership and a powerful reminder that protecting our skies protects our quality of life. Congratulations to everyone involved in this incredible achievement.”