Today we’d like to introduce you to Cindy Luongo Cassidy.
Cindy Luongo, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I started with a desire to influence something that would improve the world for my grandchildren. I wanted it to be something that I could be enthusiastic about. Then, I spent time learning about outdoor lighting and the work to have better lighting that would reduce light pollution. That led to my being part of the Texas members of DarkSky International . At that point it was called The International Dark-Sky Association.
When the City of Dripping Springs needed assistance due to its first outdoor lighting ordinance, one of my mentors recommended me. I studied more, developed their next generation ordinance, and inspection process. As a volunteer, I approached the city to ask if they would accept being nominated as an International Dark Sky Community. Expending almost 300 hours of volunteer time, I organized and wrote most of the nomination package. They became the first International Dark Sky Community in Texas and only the 6th in the world.
To educate the leadership in Central Texas, I conceived of and ran a Better Lights for Better Nights Symposium for community leaders and potential advocates. To educate the wider community, I conceived of and ran the Texas Night Sky Festival(r) for several years. The City of Dripping Springs and Hays County Chapter of Texas Master Naturalists joined as co-hosts of that very successful event. Out of that grew the Hays County Friends of the Night Sky. That series of events educated and inspired so many people in Central Texas and the Hill Country, that we were able to convince other organizations and individuals to join the cause of dark skies.
As things progressed I not only led the Hays County Friends of the Night Sky but I also was asked to grow the Texas Chapter of IDA – now DarkSky Texas. DarkSky Texas is a growing, vibrant nonprofit that provides resources and support statewide for dark sky advocates. Hays County Friends of the Night Sky is one of their key and very active partners.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Funding our projects is a challenge as none of our volunteers have fund raising as their talent
As you know, we’re big fans of Hays County Friends of the Night Sky and DarkSky Texas. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Both organizations have a common goal – to promote better lights for better nights. This is a win-win situation.
The work educates people about how to reduce glare and light trespass. It protects our human health as well as the health of all living things on this beautiful earth. It saves electricity and therefore money by lighting what humans need without directing light on other people’s property or uselessly up into the sky blotting out our common view of the universe.
What matters most to you?
Educating my fellow Texans about better ways to have the light they may need at night without infringing on others property, blinding them with glare, damaging the health of all living things (us included), or destroying our common view of the universe.
Pricing:
- Donations at an amount that means something to each reader would be appreciated and put to good use.
Contact Info:
- Website: Darkskytexas.org and Hcfns.org
- Instagram: @darksky_texas
- Facebook: @darkskytexas
- LinkedIn: darksky-texas
- Twitter: @darkskytexas
- Youtube: @darksky_texas
