The sanctuary will be located on a Welsh island called Ynys Enlli.

The first dark sky refuge in Europe will be locate on Ynys Enlli , an island off the sea-coast of northern Wales , theInternational Dark - Sky Associationannounced this week . It was officially license as an InternationalDark Sky Sanctuary , which makes it the seventeenth land site in the world . The certified sanctuaries are some of the most remote and dark locations and have a fragile ecosystem in want of conservation .

" We are delighted to receive Ynys Ellis to the grow residential district of dismal sky places worldwide , " order Ruskin Hartley , executive conductor of the International Dark - Sky Association . " With it , Wales is fast becoming one of the leading nation in protecting dark skies as a precious resource that benefits people and wildlife . "

The island is one of the darkest places in the UK , two miles off of the Llŷn Peninsula . A big peck sits on the island , further limiting light pollution from any surrounding sphere . Today , only a little community of hoi polloi live on the island , which has a rich history of Celtic and Christian monasteries that have been shew since the sixth one C .

A dark sky filled with stars above the Ynys Enlli.

Photo by Steve Porter, Courtesy of International Dark-Sky Association

" Living here , I am always in awe of the island ’s beauty – and the night sky is very much a part of that . Having batten down the certification , we look forrader to welcome visitors here over the coming calendar month and years and sharing with them our unequalled story , " Mari Huws , one of the Wardens on Ynys Enlli , said ina partake financial statement . " We bed we go in a special place , this raw position corroborate this , with IDSS put Enlli steadfastly on the spherical stage . In a domain that ’s increasingly being foul , it ’s a prerogative to be able-bodied to work towards protecting something that is pristine for succeeding propagation . "

Light pollutionis a major issue not only for natural environments , but for humans and creature as well . The preservation of spaces barren of hokey light is essential in conservation crusade . The certification of Bardsey Island Trust will wait on in helping the island continue raising consciousness topically and internationally , and will patronise conservation crusade in the area .

you may incur a Dark Sky location near you and ascertain more about the programme atDarkSky.org .

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