Parts of the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) have some of the darkest skies in the South East because there, the night sky is relatively free of artificial light pollution. Burwash residents are fortunate to have one of the best dark skies in the AONB. The residents feel passionately about the dark skies for their beauty, for the well-being they provide and in the interest of Burwash’s wildlife.

View the High Weald AONB Management Plan here:
http://www.highweald.org/high-weald-aonb-management-plan.html

According to the High Weald AONB unit, here is how you can help keep the skies of Burwash dark.
http://www.highweald.org/news/2352-dark-skies-and-starry-nights-in-the-high-weald.html

 

 

What can you do to help dark skies?

You can help by thinking about the way you use light in and around your home, in your garden, in your community and at your workplace. Please consider:

 

• Remember to draw curtains or blinds at night.

• Avoid using brighter lights that are brighter than necessary.

• Turn off indoor lights which are not required.

• Only install outdoor lighting where it is really needed.

• Ensure outside lighting is only on when or where necessary and for a short period of time as possible.

• Use shielded outdoor light fixtures.

• Direct outdoor lighting towards the ground.

• Use energy-saving features in outdoor lighting e.g. timers and sensors.
   

 

Recommendations:

Landscapes review: National Parks and AONBs
Review to consider the next steps for National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) in England.

 

Their Proposals include –

 

1. 1. National landscapes should have a renewed mission to recover and enhance nature, and be supported and held to account for delivery by a new National Landscapes Service.

2. The state of nature and natural capital in our national landscapes should be regularly and robustly assessed, informing the priorities for action.

3. A night under the stars in a national landscape for every child.

​View the entire document here https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/833726/landscapes-review-final-report.pdf