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The Ridgway Ouray Community Council (ROCC) is pleased to present a ROCC Talk at Top of the Pines (TOP) featuring Bettymaya Foott on the State of the Science – Current Understanding of Light Pollution and its Impact on the Environment.

In addition to ROCC’s sponsorship this event is made possible with the support of TOP and the Black Canyon Astronomical Society (BCAS). Following Bettymaya’s presentation BCAS will lead a laser guided constellation tour under the pristine Dark Skies of TOP – weather permitting. This event is planned near the Pavilion so bring a camp chair, a warm jacket, a red flashlight, and binoculars for the constellation tour, and telescopes for deep sky viewing. The speaking event will move into the newly remodeled Pavilion in case of inclement weather.

Currently, Bettymaya is the International Dark Sky Association’s (IDA) Director of Engagement, where she is responsible for managing the global network of IDA Dark Sky Advocates. Her dark sky career began with working for Utah State Parks as a Dark Sky Intern and then seasonal employee, starting 12 International Dark-Sky Park Applications across the state. She then worked as Coordinator for the Colorado Plateau Dark Sky Cooperative and the Consortium for Dark Sky Studies at the University of Utah where she graduated from the Honors Program with a H.B.S. degree in Environmental and Sustainable Studies. 

Walk-in Tent camping is available at TOP for Friday night and is provided by ROCC. Camping amenities can be found on TOPs web site at Topofthepines.org. Contact info@topofpines.org for camping reservations and mention ROCC Talk. TOP is located about 5 miles south of Ridgway off CR5. Turn right at the TOP sign onto Highland Drive and follow the narrow road North for about a mile, turning right again to the parking lot and the Pavilion area. Parking will be limited at the Pavilion.

Contact Val Szwarc at vszwarc@aol.com with any questions.