Biosphere Here
October 2016
Embrace the darkness (& love the light!)
Dear <<Name>>
Autumn is now here, and whilst that may mean a little less activity happening outdoors - check our monthly 'Nature Now' diary for the local lowdown - the lengthening colder nights herald the start of a new season of natural wonders. Take a look up and marvel at the universe's wonders under the dark skies of the South Downs!
In this month's (somewhat belated) issue, our Bio Blog (below right) is from National Park ranger Dan Oakley on their dedicated work to first be recognised and now take forward their new status as an 'International Dark Skies Reserve'. It might surprise some people to learn of the fascinating sights visible in the winter night sky, just a short step away from our light-polluted city and towns in this densely populated part of the country. Step out on the Downs one dark night, with a friend for company and safety, and see what you can see!
On the flip side, this coming week (10-16th October) sees the second coming of the LewesLight festival, with this year's theme being "The Darker Side of Lewes Life"! Even bigger and better than its debut last year, during the UNESCO Year of Light, there are a host of great activities on offer, all of which are free, including outdoors events at Lewes Railway Land and Landport Bottom on the Downs. Take a look at our Biosphere Calendar of eco-events (summary list, left) for details of these, as well as lots else happening over the next month - including for example the Lewes Eco Open Houses (weekends of 15/16 and 22/23 October). It's all going in in Lewes this month!
The autumn dark has arrived, so let's get out and enjoy it!
Rich Howorth
Brighton & Lewes Downs Biosphere Partnership |
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Window On
Our World
Dark Spots
Great places you can visit in our Biosphere area (map above) of the South Downs International Dark Sky Reserve to appreciate the heavens include:
~ Truleigh Hill - near the radio beacons
~ Southwick Hill - National Trust land
~ Devil's Dyke - Constable's 'finest view'
~ Ditchling Beacon - highest point of the Biosphere
~ Mount Caburn - national nature reserve above Lewes
~ Ouse Valley at Rodmell - near the YHA centre is good
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Bio Blog
Dark Side of the Downs
The nights are now drawing in and the days are getting colder - good news in the South Downs 'International Dark Skies Reserve'!
Globally recognised earlier this year, the South Downs joins an illustrious family of UK and overseas reserves, parks and communities that protect intrinsic dark skies.
The best places to clearly see the strays in the night sky have been identified as 'Dark Sky Discovery Sites' with accessible car parks. The best dark sites lie to the west of our Biosphere region, between Petersfield and Petworth, but in our part of the South Downs there are still darker spots to seek out (see 'WoW' left).
Check out the National Park's top tips for enjoying dark night skies, and don’t forget to wrap up warm!…read full blog
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