City leaders and officials from surrounding areas commemorated the achievement at the city’s council meeting that day.
Two-minute impact
The International Dark Sky Places Program encourages communities, parks and protected areas to preserve dark sites through lighting policies. Artificial light in communities can disrupt ecosystems, burn money and energy, block the view of stars and contribute to climate change, according to the release.
How we got here
The city’s effort to become a Dark Sky Community began in 2020 when community members formed the Liberty Hill Save Our Stars volunteer group, according to the release.
Working with the city's planning and zoning commission, the group drafted the Outdoor Lighting Ordinance, which was adopted in 2022.
What’s going on?
The city has since inventoried over 1,100 lights, according to the release. It has also initiated lighting retrofits at City Hall, the Stubblefield Building and public parks.
The city is committed to completing all retrofits by August 2027.
What they’re saying
“Growing up in Liberty Hill, I loved the night skies with the stars and fireflies,” Mayor Pro Tem Diane Williams said in the release. “As the city grew, so did the light pollution that threatened to take that away. I am very thankful to the Save Our Stars volunteer group and the city leaders who initiated the effort for the lighting ordinance. I am really proud and excited that our city has reached this major milestone."
At a Williamson County Commissioners Court meeting July 29, Commissioner Cynthia Long said, “It’s a significant milestone for the fast-growing Hill Country city, reflecting a strong community commitment to preserving the natural beauty of the night sky amid ongoing development.”
“This is a first in Williamson County,” she said.
Reporter Anna Maness contributed to this story.
