Raising awareness of the issue of light pollution has always faced several challenges. Many people are unaware of the problem as the direct effects are less obvious. Industry interests, lack of priority compared to other environmental issues and the complex nature of causes and solutions make communication difficult. Cultural differences and the positive perception of lighting as a symbol of safety also influence awareness. To overcome these hurdles, a clear, accessible and, above all, sustainable communication strategy is needed that emphasizes the urgency of the issue and points to sustainable solutions.

 

By participating in the INTERREG Europe NIGHT LIGHT project in 2017, the Our Nature Park, together with eight European regions from seven partner countries, pursued the goal of actively counteracting the problem of light pollution by 2021 and increasing the value of a naturally dark night sky.

 

An internationally coordinated exchange on dealing with light pollution took place, with the resolution to improve the regional strategies of the partner regions for the prevention of light pollution and sustainable protection of the naturally dark night sky.

 

The direct exchange of experience between the project partners was promoted using professional methods such as peer reviews. Continuous benchmarking enabled the regions and all their stakeholders, regardless of their different starting points and level of knowledge with regard to light pollution, to individually define the strategic integration of selected action steps.

 

Participation in the INTERREG Europe NIGHT LIGHT project led, among other things, to the organization of the NIGHT, Light & more Festival. The aim of the festival was to sensitize visitors to the special issue of light pollution. A variety of events and activities in the Our and Öewersauer nature parks were organized to draw attention to the beauty of the starry sky and the nocturnal landscape as well as to the topics of light and darkness.

 

The increasing light emissions should be counteracted, and the preservation of natural darkness promoted. Ultimately, the aim was to raise awareness of the fact that every individual can actively do something about light pollution.

 

NIGHT, Light & more brought together a variety of very different types of events such as exhibitions, concerts, performances, conferences, workshops and night walks in the nature park communities. A festival for young and old.

The festival concluded with the "Cliärref am neie Liicht" event from 27 - 29 August 2021.

 

On 20 May 2023, the municipality of Vianden will hold its "VIANDEN deLIGHTed" event, originally planned for April 2020:

 

Originally intended as a temporary pilot project as part of the INTERREG Europe NIGHT LIGHT project, the nature park has had a now permanently employed lighting consultant since 1 October 2019, whose task is to manage a neutral advisory centre at a national level. This is available to administrations, businesses, and residents of the Our Nature Park and serves as a professional source of advice and support in matters relating to the prevention of light pollution and energy efficiency in lighting systems.