Dark Skies: Meaning, Impact and Wonder

Dark Skies: Meaning, Impact and Wonder

August 6, 2025 6:30-8pm
@ Patagonia Freeport
Come join us for a Dark Skies event hosted by the AMC and Patagonia Freeport as the second part of a three-part panelist discussion series called Conservation, Climate Change & Community.

Guest speakers are John Meader, Director of Northern Stars Planetarium and Co-Founder of Dark Sky Maine, Shawn Laatsch, Director of the Versant Power Astronomy Center and Membership Chair of the International Planetarium Society, and Serena Sanborne, Maine Master Naturalist and Education and Outreach Coordinator at Waterville Creates.

Our speakers will engage in rich discussion on dark skies, their ecological meaning and impact, their importance for wildlife, local actions being taken to support the DarkSky movement, and ways to experience the awe of dark skies in Maine.

Sophie Aither, Event Coordinator of the AMC will also be there to engage the audience with AMC's See The Dark festival and discuss AMC's conservation work related to dark skies and the AMC Maine Woods International Dark Sky Park designation.

Here is a detailed outline of the night:
- 6:30-7:00pm: Tabling, mingling, dark sky coloring books with Serena, drinks and food, dark sky slideshow
- 7:00-7:10pm: Introduction and Dark Sky Video
- 7:10-7:50pm: Moderated panelist discussion on dark skies
- 7:50-8:00pm: Q & A

Children and adults of all ages are welcome at this event to promote education around Dark Skies and inspire wonder! Patagonia is wheelchair accessible.

While this event is free and open to all, joining the Appalachian Mountain Club as a member opens the door to so much more:
- Thousands of outdoor activities
- Discounts on books, gear, and lodging
- A voice in protecting trails and landscapes

Join at [outdoors.org/join](https://click.e.outdoors.org/?qs=cf90cdb27cc3a031d2acdb89815f225840aa89c85269453feafa5bbc139cd2bf73acca3e6e730ab965dc448ee3d8f1ef042c8ebcd6f47416 "outdoors.org/join").

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