Jackson Hole Airport in Wyoming has made history by becoming the first commercial airport in the world to receive International Dark Sky certification.
This new title places the airport among more than 240 officially recognized International Dark Sky Places around the world. These include parks, communities, and protected areas that have worked to reduce the negative effects of artificial lighting on the environment.
Located inside Grand Teton National Park, Jackson Hole Airport (JAC) is the only commercial airport situated within a U.S. national park. The certification comes from DarkSky International, a nonprofit group that runs the Dark Sky Places Program, which encourages the use of responsible outdoor lighting. The program is voluntary.
Michael Rymer, Program Associate at DarkSky International, praised the airport’s achievement.
“This certification of the world’s first airport as an International Dark Sky Place is certainly special for the obvious reasons,” Rymer said in a statement.
“But what is really worth celebrating is how much work the airport’s managers and staff put into retrofitting nearly 200 light fixtures in under a year. Their leadership in recognizing the need for and then implementing responsible outdoor lighting is a huge part of this project’s success.”
Artificial light, if not used carefully, can disrupt wildlife, damage ecosystems, and affect human health. According to the Dark Sky Places Program, too much artificial light also wastes energy, adds to climate change, and increases costs.
Jackson Hole Airport has long focused on environmental responsibility. Its team has worked hard on green building practices and energy efficiency. In order to qualify for the dark sky designation, airport staff spent hundreds of hours replacing light fixtures and changing light programming to meet dark sky standards.
This change has improved the stargazing experience in the area. More importantly, it helps protect the animals in Grand Teton National Park and nearby areas. Many of these species depend on natural darkness at night to survive.
Rob Wallace, President of the Jackson Hole Airport Board, emphasized the airport’s unique position.
“The staff and Board at the Airport are mindful of the special obligation we have to Grand Teton National Park and our surrounding community,” he said.
By earning the certification, the airport hopes to encourage better lighting practices not just locally, but across the aviation industry.
The airport’s new Dark Sky status also supports the wider efforts of the region. The Town of Jackson and Teton County have already been recognized as an International Dark Sky Community.
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