The Importance of Night Sky Quality at Acadia National Park

OMB Control Number 1024-0224
Current Expiration Date: 8-31-2014

Night Skies in National Parks

We are conducting a short visitor survey about experiencing the night sky in national parks.
Your answers will inform the National Park Service and others about visitor experiences in
parks. This survey is voluntary and anonymous. It will take approximately 15 minutes to
complete.

Thank you for your participation.

PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT STATEMENT: The National Park Service is authorized by 16 U.S.C. 1a-7 to collect this
information. This information will be used by park managers to understand the needs of the public in order to provide high
quality nighttime experiences in parks. Response to this request is voluntary. No action may be taken against you for refusing
to supply the information requested. The permanent data will be anonymous. An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a
person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.
BURDEN ESTIMATE statement: Public reporting burden for this form is estimated to average 15 minutes per response. Direct
comments regarding the burden estimate or any other aspect of this form to: Chad Moore, Night Skies Program Manager,
Natural Sounds and Night Skies Division, 1201 Oakridge Drive, Suite 100, Fort Collins, CO, [email protected].

1

Topic Area 5: VERP. Part (a.) of this question will inform park managers of how many visitors in
the sample population have spent time in that park at night, during that visit or previously.
Responses to parts (b.) and (c.) will be used to identify indicators of quality for night time
experiences. A variation of this question has been approved for use in previous studies to
identify indicators of quality.
1. a. Have you spent time in this park at night?
 Yes
 No (Skip to Question 4.)
b. What things do you like most about the nighttime environment in this park?
1.________________________________________________________________________
2.________________________________________________________________________
3.________________________________________________________________________
c. What things do you like least about the nighttime environment in this park?
1.________________________________________________________________________
2.________________________________________________________________________
3.________________________________________________________________________
Topic Area 5: VERP. Part (a.) of this question will inform park managers of how many visitors in
the sample population have viewed the night sky/stargazed in that park at night, during that
visit or previously. Responses to parts (b.) and (c.) will be used to identify indicators of quality
for night sky viewing/stargazing. A variation of this question has been approved for use in
previous studies to identify indicators of quality.
2. a. Have you stargazed or viewed the night sky in this park?
 Yes
 No (Skip to Question 4.)
b. What things do you like most about stargazing or viewing the night sky in this park?
1.________________________________________________________________________
2.________________________________________________________________________
3.________________________________________________________________________
c. What things do you like least about stargazing or viewing the night sky in this park?
1.________________________________________________________________________
2.________________________________________________________________________
3.________________________________________________________________________

2

Topic Area 3: ACT3
3. Please check all of the following things you’ve done in this park after dark on this trip. (Check
all that apply.)
 Attended a ranger program
 Camped
 Walked/hiked somewhere in the park other than the campground
 Stargazed/viewed the night sky
 Other (Please specify): a. ____________________________
b. ____________________________
c. ____________________________
 I’ve never visited this park after dark.
Topic Area 5: VERP1
1. Stargazing or viewing the night sky can be affected by human-caused light. For example, the
lights of cities and street lights can make stars more difficult to see. We would like to know your
opinion about how the night sky should look for stargazing or viewing. To help judge this, we
have a series of images that show different night sky conditions. Please look at these images
and answer the following questions.
a. Please rate each image by indicating how acceptable you think it looks for stargazing or
viewing the night sky. A rating of -3 means the image is “very unacceptable” and a rating
of +3 means the image is “very acceptable”. (Circle one response for each image.)
Unacceptable
Image A
Image B
Image C
Image D
Image E

Acceptable

Very

Moderately

Slightly

Neutral

Slightly

-3
-3
-3
-3
-3

-2
-2
-2
-2
-2

-1
-1
-1
-1
-1

0
0
0
0
0

1
1
1
1
1

Moderately Very
2
2
2
2
2

3
3
3
3
3

Topic Area 5: VERP2
b. Which image shows the night sky you would prefer to see in this park?
Image letter: _____

3

Topic Area 5: VERP3
c. Which image represents the maximum amount of human-caused light the National Park
Service should allow in and around this park?
Image letter: _____

OR

 The National Park Service should not try
to control human-caused light in and
around the park.

Topic Area 5: VERP. This question will be used to address potential displacement of park
visitors from a park and the importance of the condition of the night sky to visitors
experiencing that park.
d. Which image is so unacceptable that you would no longer come to this park to stargaze
or view the night sky?
Image letter: _____

OR

 None of the images are so unacceptable
that I would no longer visit this park to
stargaze.

Topic Area 5: VERP. This question uses the same images to address potential displacement of
park visitors from an activity (stargazing) in that park.
e. Which image is so unacceptable that you would not stargaze or view the night sky when
visiting this park?
Image letter: _____

OR

 None of the images are so unacceptable
that I would no longer stargaze at this park.

Topic Area 5: VERP4 variation
f. Which image looks most like the night sky that you typically saw in this park during this
trip?
Image letter: _____

OR

 I have not noticed the night sky
in this park during this trip.

Topic Area 5: VERP. Responses to this question will inform park managers about what visitors
perceive as a “natural” night sky.
g. Which image looks most like the night sky that you think is “natural” in this park?
Image letter: _____
4

Topic Area 5: VERP. This question will inform park managers how visitors perceive the
condition of the night sky in their communities. Managers can determine how many visitors
perceive a higher or lower quality night sky than what they’ve seen in the park.
h. Which image looks most like the night sky you typically see from your home?
Image letter: _____

OR

 I do not notice the night sky from my
home.

Topic Area 3: Activities. This question will determine if visitors stargaze/view the night sky
during special conditions. It will inform park managers of visitor interest in viewing the night
sky during these conditions and can guide educational/interpretive programming efforts.
5. Do you participate in stargazing/viewing the night sky during any of the following special
conditions? (Check all that apply.)
 During a full moon
 When there is no moonlight
 During special celestial events (e.g., meteor shower, comets, Northern Lights, eclipse)
 Other (Please specify): ___________________________
 I’ve never participated in stargazing activities.
Topic Area 3: ACT3 variation

6. Which of the following activities do you participate in and where? (Check all that apply.) For
each activity that you check, indicate approximately how many times per year you participate in
that activity.
In other
How many
In this
parks or
In other
times per
park
recreation
places
year in total?
areas
Attending educational programs at night or



______
about night, including park ranger programs
Night photography







______

Stargazing with telescopes or binoculars
Stargazing without telescopes or binoculars
Visiting planetariums
Visiting observatories
















______
______
______
______

Hiking or walking at night







______

5

Topic Area 4: Recreation Preferences. This question includes statements that will inform park
managers of the importance of the night sky to visitors and their park experiences and the role
of stargazing as a motivation for visiting that park. These statements also address expectations
for night sky quality and perceptions of night sky quality.
7. Please indicate the degree to which you agree or disagree with the following statements.
(Circle one number for each statement.)
Strongly
disagree
Viewing the night sky (“stargazing”)
-2
is important to me.
One of the reasons I chose to visit
-2
this park is to view the night sky.
This park has a good reputation as a
-2
place to view the night sky.
I would visit this park less if it
-2
became more difficult to see the
night sky.
I planned to spend time outdoors in
-2
this park at night.
I expected to see a “starry night” in
-2
this park.
One reason for visiting this park
-2
was to experience a natural night
environment.
Observing the night sky is an
-2
important part of my experience in
this park.
The night sky in this park is pristine
-2
(i.e., free of light pollution).
Bright lights in the community I live
-2
in make it difficult for me to
stargaze at home.

Disagree
-1

Neither agree
Agree
nor disagree
0
1

Strongly
agree
2

-1

0

1

2

-1

0

1

2

-1

0

1

2

-1

0

1

2

-1

0

1

2

-1

0

1

2

-1

0

1

2

-1

0

1

2

-1

0

1

2

6

Topic Area 4: PREF1. This question will inform park managers of the relative importance of
different resources to visitors in that park. This can guide management and educational efforts
for these resources.
8. Please rate your level of importance for each of the following resources at this park. (Circle
one number for each item.)

Vegetation in the park
(trees, plants, wildflowers,
etc.)
The scenery in daylight
The cultural history of the
park
Wildlife in the park
Natural night environment
The sounds of nature in
daylight
The sounds of nature at
night
The night sky (stars, Milky
Way, etc.)
Clean air
Clean water
[Park specific resource 1]
[Park specific resource 2]
[Park specific resource 3 and
so on as needed]

Not all
important

Slightly
important

Moderately
important

Very
important

Extremely
important

1

2

3

4

5

1

2

3

4

5

1

2

3

4

5

1
1

2
2

3
3

4
4

5
5

1

2

3

4

5

1

2

3

4

5

1

2

3

4

5

1
1
1
1

2
2
2
2

3
3
3
3

4
4
4
4

5
5
5
5

1

2

3

4

5

Topic Area 6: OPMGMT4 variation
9. Please rate your level of concern for the following visitor-caused impacts to resources in this
park. (Circle one number for each item.)

Trampling tree roots and
fragile plants
Eroding soils
Polluting water

Not all
Slightly
Moderately
Very
Extremely
concerned concerned concerned concerned concerned
1
2
3
4
5
1
1

2
2

3
3

4
4

5
5
7

Feeding or otherwise
disturbing wildlife
Making noise that masks the
sounds of nature
Littering
Causing crowding and
congestion
Causing conflicts among
visitors
Creating human-caused light
that dims the night sky
Vandalism
[Park specific impacts of
concern?]

1

2

3

4

5

1

2

3

4

5

1
1

2
2

3
3

4
4

5
5

1

2

3

4

5

1

2

3

4

5

1
1

2
2

3
3

4
4

5
5

Topic Area 6: OPMGMT4 variation
10. Please rate your level of concern for the following things outside this park that can impact
resources in this park. (Circle one number for each item.)

Air pollution from cities,
roads, etc.
Water pollution from cities,
roads, etc.
Changes in climate caused
by CO2 emissions from
cities, roads, etc.
Light pollution from cities,
roads, etc.
Noise pollution from cities,
roads, etc.

Not all
Slightly
concerned concerned
1
2

Moderately
concerned
3

Very
concerned
4

Extremely
concerned
5

1

2

3

4

5

1

2

3

4

5

1

2

3

4

5

1

2

3

4

5

8

Topic Area 6: OPMGMT4 Statements in this question address visitor attitudes towards park
management of night skies. Managers can use this information to guide
interpretation/education programming, facility development/site design, and collaboration
with entities outside of the park.
11. Please indicate the degree to which you agree or disagree with the following statements.
(Circle one number for each statement.)

The National Park Service should
modify its lighting (e.g., use less
lighting, direct lighting downward)
to allow visitors to see the night
sky.
The National Park Service should
work with nearby communities and
businesses to modify lighting (e.g.,
use less lighting, direct lighting
downward) to allow visitors to see
the night sky.
The National Park Service should
conduct more programs to
encourage visitors to view the night
sky with telescopes.
The National Park Service should
conduct more programs to
encourage visitors to view the night
sky without telescopes.
The National Park Service does a
good job of letting its visitors know
about stargazing activities.
The National Park Service does not
provide enough lighting for visitors
(e.g., marking restrooms, lighting
paths) in this park.
The National Park Service provides
too much lighting for visitors (e.g.,
makes it harder to see the night
sky) in this park.
Protection of natural nighttime
conditions (e.g., darkness, sounds)
is important in preserving this park

Strongly
disagree
-2

Disagree
-1

Neither agree
Agree
nor disagree
0
1

Strongly
agree
2

-2

-1

0

1

2

-2

-1

0

1

2

-2

-1

0

1

2

-2

-1

0

1

2

-2

-1

0

1

2

-2

-1

0

1

2

9

for future generations.
Preserving a natural night
environment is as important as
protecting other resources in this
park.

-2

-1

0

1

2

Topic Area 6: OPMGMT6 variation
12. Please indicate the degree to which you oppose or support the following management
actions designed to protect the quality of stargazing/viewing the night sky at this park.

Restrictions on times when
lights are allowed (or not
allowed) to be used by visitors or
campers
Restrictions on types of lights
allowed to be used by visitors or
campers
Restrictions on the number of
lights used by visitors or
campers
Lights that draw attention to, or
accent, something specific
Lights that are set to the
minimum necessary brightness
Outdoor lights that are motion
activated
Reducing the number of park
lights
Policies that restrict visitor use
or activities in the park at night
Lights that are shielded to direct
light to only intended areas
Outdoor lighting ordinances or
policies in communities near the
park

Strongly
oppose

Oppose

-2

-1

Neither
oppose nor
support
0

-2

-1

-2

Support

Strongly
support

1

2

0

1

2

-1

0

1

2

-2

-1

0

1

2

-2

-1

0

1

2

-2

-1

0

1

2

-2

-1

0

1

2

-2

-1

0

1

2

-2

-1

0

1

2

-2

-1

0

1

2

10

13. If management actions were taken to improve stargazing at this park, how concerned would
you be about the following? (Circle one number for each item.)
Not all
Slightly
concerned concerned
Light restrictions may make
the park less safe
Light restrictions may
increase the risk of crime
Light restrictions may make
it more difficult for me to do
other night time activities in
the park
The management actions
may divert the park’s
budget from addressing
other issues that I care
about
Neighboring communities
may oppose restrictions on
lighting

Moderately
concerned

Very
concerned

Extremely
concerned

1

2

3

4

5

1

2

3

4

5

1

2

3

4

5

1

2

3

4

5

1

2

3

4

5

Topic Area 6: OPMGMT12 variation
14. Is there anything you would like to see changed in the way this park manages its activities,
visitors’ activities, stargazing/viewing the night sky, lighting or park resources at night?

Topic Area 6: OPMGMT12 variation
15. Is there anything you would not like to see changed in the way this park manages its
activities, visitors’ activities, stargazing/viewing the night sky, lighting or park resources at
night?

11

Topic Area 1: VISITHIS1
16. Have you visited this park before today? (Check one.)
 Yes
 No  Approximately how many times have
you visited in total?
_______________
Topic Area 3: TRIPC33 variation
17. Are you staying in a hotel, cabin, or lodge in this park during this visit? (Check one.)
 Yes
 No
Topic Area 3: TRIPC33 variation
18. Are you camping in this park during this visit? (Check one.)
 Yes
 No (If “No”, please skip to question 19)
Topic Area 3: TRIPC3(c)
19. Which of the following are you using for camping? (Check all that apply.)
 Tent

 RV

 Car/truck

 Other
(please specify): ______________

Topic Area 1: GR3 variation
20. How many people are in your group, including you?
Less than age 18: ________________

Age 18+ :________________

Topic Area 1: RES3
21. Do you live in the United States? (Check one.)
 Yes. What is your U.S. zip code? ______________________________
 No. What country do you live in? __________________________
Topic Area 1: AGE2
22. In what year were you born? _____________________

12

Topic Area 1: GEND1
23. What is your gender? (Check one.)
 Male

 Female

Topic Area : RACE/ETH2
24. Are you Hispanic or Latino?
 Yes

 No

Topic Area 1: RACE/ETH4
25. What is your race/ethnicity? (Check all that apply.)






American Indian or Alaska Native
Asian
Black or African American
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
White

Topic Area 1: ED2
26. What is the highest level of formal education you have completed? (Check one.)






Less than high school
Some high school
High school graduate
Vocational/trade school certificate
Some college






Two-year college degree
Four-year college degree
Master’s Degree
Ph.D., M.D., J.D., or equivalent

13