In the ecological park Joya-La Barreta, located in Querétaro, Mexico, Juan Carlos Hernández and other astronomical activists dedicate their efforts to the conservation of the nocturnal conditions of the place. They seek the approval of a state regulation to reduce light pollution, relying on the General Law of Ecological Balance of Mexico, approved in 2021, which is already recognized in some Mexican states such as Sonora, Baja California, and Hidalgo.
Hernández has presented a reform to the state Congress for the application of these regulations in Querétaro, aiming to protect professional observatories and astronomical observations. Likewise, his struggle focuses on promoting citizen participation to conserve the dark sky of Joya-La Barreta park, which hosts 123 species of vertebrates and faces threats from light pollution and urbanization.
María Guadalupe Espinosa de los Reyes Ayala, Secretary of Environment of Querétaro, highlights the importance of involving the citizenry in this task. Hernández, as president of the Queretana Astronomical Society and co-founder of Astronite, has spent more than two decades defending the night sky, pursuing dark areas for stellar observation.
In Joya-La Barreta, amateur astronomers must report light pollution three times a year to DarkSky, while seeking to raise awareness about the importance of preserving the night darkness for the ecosystem. The consequence of the growing light pollution is evident, and citizen participation is crucial to reversing this trend.
The Joya-La Barreta park received certification from DarkSky International as the first urban space for night skies in Latin America, thanks to the efforts of Hernández and other amateur astronomers. Despite the progress, light pollution remains a challenge, and raising awareness about the impact of uncontrolled lighting is crucial to preserving this natural and cultural heritage.
The importance of maintaining dark sky spaces is reflected in biodiversity and in the connection with our cosmic origins. Urbanization and the expansion of artificial lighting pose a threat to these spaces, which are not only vital for astronomical observation but also for ecological balance and the well-being of future generations.
