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Hortobágy International Dark Sky Park
Published on 09 July 2019
Hungary
Észak-Alföld
This is the good practice's implementation level. It can be national, regional or local.
About this good practice
Hortobágy National Park earned dark sky status from the International Dark-sky Association: Hortobágy Starry Sky Park was announced as a Silver Tier International Dark Sky Park on 25 January 2011.
Having the largest continuous native grassland in Europe while providing unique habitat for wildlife especially birds with its ancient marshland and alkaline flats, Hortobágy is recognized as a World Heritage site, Ramsar site and Biosphere Reserve. Hortobágy National Park as the first national park in Hungary (82.000 ha, designated in 1973) has specific importance: the area serves as home to 159 species of nesting birds while hosting 178 migrating species.
To reduce existing light pollution endangering these species and to prevent further unfavourable changes, the National Park (NP, as one of the biggest unpopulated areas in Hungary with dark, unpolluted starry sky) established the Hortobágy Starry Sky Park and started the process to be an internationally recognized dark sky park.
The Park included the articles of the Lighting Plan of the Dark Sky Park to its Management Plan to protect the natural and scenic values of the undisturbed night-time environment. The lighting regulation and zoning gives possibility to control artificial lights within the park.
To increase public awareness, NP organizes stargazing walks, specific programmes on Dark Sky Park values and favourable lighting practices; besides, a public astronomical observatory is located in the Field Study Centre.
Having the largest continuous native grassland in Europe while providing unique habitat for wildlife especially birds with its ancient marshland and alkaline flats, Hortobágy is recognized as a World Heritage site, Ramsar site and Biosphere Reserve. Hortobágy National Park as the first national park in Hungary (82.000 ha, designated in 1973) has specific importance: the area serves as home to 159 species of nesting birds while hosting 178 migrating species.
To reduce existing light pollution endangering these species and to prevent further unfavourable changes, the National Park (NP, as one of the biggest unpopulated areas in Hungary with dark, unpolluted starry sky) established the Hortobágy Starry Sky Park and started the process to be an internationally recognized dark sky park.
The Park included the articles of the Lighting Plan of the Dark Sky Park to its Management Plan to protect the natural and scenic values of the undisturbed night-time environment. The lighting regulation and zoning gives possibility to control artificial lights within the park.
To increase public awareness, NP organizes stargazing walks, specific programmes on Dark Sky Park values and favourable lighting practices; besides, a public astronomical observatory is located in the Field Study Centre.
Resources needed
Solid co-operation between parties is essential; professional expertise as human resources and adequate financial capacity were also required:
Norway Grants - 10.350 EUR
Green Source national grant - 1.800 EUR for monitoring of former results
Norway Grants - 10.350 EUR
Green Source national grant - 1.800 EUR for monitoring of former results
Evidence of success
The designation of Hortobágy International Dark Sky Park efficiently contributed to prompt modifications in the national environmental protection law to include light pollution. The increasing number of visitors participating in stargazing walks, as well as measures proving the reduction of light pollution provide the basic evidence of success.
Potential for learning or transfer
For the successful transfer there are specific criteria:
• starry sky park has to be protected, community-owned or community-used area managed by the state or local public body (e.g. national parks, other categories of protection)
• good quality and undisturbed night sky is an essential
• public lighting in the area means the use of appropriate luminaires
• availability has to be provided for night visits
Hortobágy is the 2nd International Dark Sky Park in Hungary. The 1st one is Zselic Starry Sky Park. Two more new starry sky parks are ready to join the series of international dark sky parks: Bükk National Park and Balaton-felvidéki National Park both started the process.
• starry sky park has to be protected, community-owned or community-used area managed by the state or local public body (e.g. national parks, other categories of protection)
• good quality and undisturbed night sky is an essential
• public lighting in the area means the use of appropriate luminaires
• availability has to be provided for night visits
Hortobágy is the 2nd International Dark Sky Park in Hungary. The 1st one is Zselic Starry Sky Park. Two more new starry sky parks are ready to join the series of international dark sky parks: Bükk National Park and Balaton-felvidéki National Park both started the process.
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
Organisation
Hortobágy National Park
Hungary
Észak-Alföld
Contact
senior regional development expert