Groveland is one of Florida’s fastest-growing cities. Located about 30 miles west of Orlando, Groveland is a diverse, historic community of about 23,000 people. The economy is driven by a strong agricultural foundation and a robust industrial park with national companies such as Kroger and Amazon. City leaders worked with community partners to create a strategic plan emphasizing a sophisticated approach to incorporating natural elements into the city’s plans. Achieving the International Dark Sky Community certification was a major objective of this initiative.

“With approximately 23,000 residents, Groveland will be one of the largest certified International Dark Sky Communities. Proximity to Orlando and vast conservation areas offer potential for diverse partnerships centered around conservation and community planning. This is an exciting opportunity to raise awareness through responsible outdoor lighting practices and public education,” stated Amber Harrison, the Dark Sky Places Program Associate.

To earn this certification, Groveland engaged with residents, business owners, and community stakeholders to raise awareness about the benefits of protecting the night sky. This educational outreach included holding virtual workshops, tabling at events, developing a citizen-scientist program to monitor light pollution, and hosting the city’s first Star Party attended by over 700 guests. City staff conducted an inventory of all city-owned lighting, and the City Council adopted a comprehensive dark-sky lighting ordinance. The ordinance provides standards for all exterior lighting and streetlights in Groveland and requires that all city-owned lights be retrofitted with dark-sky-friendly fixtures by 2027.

Groveland Mayor Evelyn Wilson noted that the city “sits on the edge of darkness,” with acres of conservation land within its boundaries and to the west contrasted by city and theme park lights to the east.

“We believe that this certification will help Groveland in its efforts to encourage other communities across Central Florida to preserve the nighttime environment and to understand the importance of mitigating light pollution,” Wilson said.

Other Central Floridians have already taken note, such as Orlando Photographer and International Dark-Sky Association member Steven Miller.

“I’m so incredibly impressed with the passion and dedication that the City of Groveland has shown in preserving the environment,” Miller said. “I’m excited to see how this certification spreads further awareness.”

This summer, signage will be installed throughout the city to celebrate this important achievement. Signs will feature the new DarkSky branding to inform visitors that Groveland is a Dark Sky Community. A plan is being developed, and funds are budgeted, to retrofit city-owned lighting. Groveland also is working with local retailer, Toole’s Ace Hardware, to carry dark-sky-compliant fixtures for residents. The city continues to work with developers to ensure new neighborhoods meet dark-sky standards.

Visit www.groveland-fl.gov to learn more about the city of Groveland, Florida.

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About the International Dark Sky Places Program:

 The International Dark Sky Places Program was founded in 2001 as a non-regulatory and voluntary program to encourage communities, parks, and protected areas worldwide to preserve and protect dark sites through effective lighting policies, environmentally responsible outdoor lighting, and public education. When used indiscriminately, artificial light can disrupt ecosystems, impact human health, waste money and energy, contribute to climate change, and block our view and connection to the universe. Groveland now joins more than 200 Places that have demonstrated robust community support for dark sky advocacy and strive to protect the night from light pollution. Learn more by visiting www.darksky.org/conservation/idsp.

About DarkSky International:

The mission of DarkSky International is to preserve and protect the nighttime environment and our heritage of dark skies through environmentally responsible outdoor lighting. Learn more at darksky.org

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In 2020, the City of Groveland committed to becoming the first dark sky-certified city in Florida.

The City contracted with consultant Madelline Mathis to coordinate the effort. Joining Madelline for the presentation will be local IDA delegate Steven Miller and activist and local board IDA member Marty Proctor. The workshop will also explain the specific steps and timetable the City has committed to as they work toward certification. “You don’t have to sacrifice having outdoor lights, you just need better lights that emit less light pollution,” said Ms. Mathis.

“The City of Groveland is on the edge of a dark sky desert that extends from Orlando,” stated Mr. Proctor. “We can make a visible difference here on the edge. The goal is to extend the certification area to surrounding towns and all of Lake County.” Ms. Mathis added, “Groveland is creating a model ordinance and dark sky plan that will be a model for other cities to duplicate.”

Attendees do not need to pre-register and can access the workshop by phone or computer from the safety and comfort of their personal location.

Click this LINK or visit the City website and search “Dark Sky”. The video conference information, questions, press release and other information is on the groveland-fl.gov website.

Direct dial-in is 301-715-8592 and the meeting number is 898-1143-6608.

About Groveland’s Dark Sky Initiative: An IDA-certified community is a local government that has shown extraordinary dedication to preserving the night sky. This includes lighting policies, education, light mitigation strategy, and citizen support.

The effort is led by Groveland’s Community Development department. The department sets the standards for high-quality, innovative urban planning and efforts to create more sustainable and livable communities.

About the IDA: Since 1988, the IDA has led the movement to protect the night from light pollution. The worldwide organization has a plan to promote win-win solutions that allow people to appreciate dark, star-filled skies. The plan includes slowing and reversing the growth of light pollution while enjoying the benefits of responsible outdoor lighting. More info at darksky.org

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