Keeping the Door Dark

Tom Gwilym.

Learn where it is – and isn’t

You could say that Tom Gwilym has a mission, and it doesn’t involve seeing the light.

He recently became one of two International Dark Sky Association advocates in Wisconsin, but he’s likely more well known as the vice president of the Door Peninsula Astronomical Society (DPAS) and the lead telescope wrangler at the society’s Astronomy Center near Big Creek in Sturgeon Bay. 

He has always taken protection of Door County’s night skies seriously, working with businesses and billboard owners to help rein in light pollution on the peninsula. Now he’ll share some of that passion during a presentation, “Keeping the Door Dark,” on Tuesday, March 8, 7 pm, at the Ray and Ruthie Stonecipher Astronomy Center, 2200 Utah St. in Sturgeon Bay.

The presentation will be based on International Dark Sky research but will also include local examples of light pollution as well as good lighting solutions. 

“Many visitors to Door County have never seen the Milky Way and come here for our dark skies, which we need to preserve,” Gwilym said.

The presentation is open to everyone to attend in person or via Zoom. Get the link to attend virtually by contacting the DPAS through its Facebook page, or email [email protected] or [email protected].