Ottawa 
Parc national du Mont-Tremblant, Quebec’s oldest national park established in 1895, has earned the prestigious designation of an International Dark Sky Park from DarkSky International.
Credit: Société des établissements de plein air du Québec
Managed by Sépaq, the 1510 km² park’s commitment to conservation and educational initiatives aligns with its mission to provide outdoor recreational opportunities while safeguarding biodiversity.
The park’s diverse landscape of lakes, rivers, and trails has long made it a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, offering activities such as canoeing, kayaking, and hiking. With over 900 campsites and 87 cabins available, visitors can experience nature under a pristine starlit sky.
Amber Harrison, DarkSky’s International Dark Sky Places Program Manager, lauded the park’s commitment to night sky preservation, environmental stewardship, and collaboration with surrounding communities and dark-sky advocates. This recognition places Parc national du Mont-Tremblant as an exemplary International Dark Sky Park, allowing individuals to connect with nature and marvel at the night sky’s beauty in a protected setting conveniently located near urban areas.
The journey towards International Dark Sky Park certification has been an extensive one for Parc national du Mont-Tremblant. From developing outreach programs to implementing lighting fixture conversions and raising public awareness in nearby communities, the park has emerged as a model for neighboring municipalities and other national parks.
Hugues Tennier, Manager of Education and Conservation at Parc national du Mont-Tremblant, emphasized that this certification will enable the park to raise awareness about light pollution and protect an essential facet of our intangible heritage for both present and future generations. With an estimated 600,000 annual visitors, the park aims to promote the benefits of this certification, not only to its own visitors but also to other national parks in Quebec and local representatives.
Scheduled for Saturday, September 9, 2023, the park plans to organize special activities on “park day” to celebrate this achievement. Additionally, Parc national du Mont-Tremblant’s Education and Conservation Plans will focus on collaborating with neighboring municipalities and local conservation groups to protect the park’s nighttime environment. By championing these plans, the park hopes to inspire widespread adoption of measures to preserve the night sky.
Established in 2001, the International Dark Sky Places Program operates as a non-regulatory, voluntary initiative that encourages communities, parks, and protected areas worldwide to conserve dark sites through responsible lighting practices and public education. This recognition reinforces the critical importance of minimizing light pollution, which can disrupt ecosystems, affect human health, waste energy, and obstruct our connection to the universe.
