Make A Difference!  Volunteers needed Saturday evening November 7th for a research study on street lighting and pedestrian visibility. Times from 5:45 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Recruiting Volunteers for our Research Study on Street Lighting and Pedestrian Visibility Saturday, November 7th. 

Kickapoo Valley Dark Sky Initiative needs help finishing our research study on how streetlight color temperature affects drivers and visibility of pedestrians at night. The goal is to determine streetlight performance differences and how this knowledge can be used to minimize light pollution. Participants will receive a $30 Visa gift card after completion. 

In collaboration with Kickapoo Valley Forest School, we will welcome volunteers during their Harvest Moon Soup Supper & Square Dance event on Saturday, November 7th. Participants will check in and complete their two short vision tests at the school, then be shuttled over by one of our volunteers to our test site on One Organic Way in La Farge. After completing the test drive in a vehicle provided by us that has been outfitted with braking and GPS sensors, they will be shuttled back to the school and given a $30 prepaid gift card as a thank you for participating. We expect the entire process to take between 30-45 minutes. Be part of a scientific study and help us make a difference in lighting practices and lowering light pollution in rural Wisconsin!

Sign up: 

While the Harvest Moon Soup Supper & Square Dance is a ticketed event, our study is free to participate. Sign up now to reserve your spot, but walk-ins are welcome at 301 W Adams St, La Farge, WI 54639!

Here is the link to our google form for sign up: https://forms.gle/jAPN9ECz5sYypCRv6

You May Qualify If You:

• Are between 18 and 75 years old

• Have a valid driver's license

• Have nominally 20/40 vision or better or vision corrected to 20/40

• Have no other vision impairments like color blindness or any license restrictions

Participation Involves:

• Driving a quarter mile long closed public street (in a vehicle we provide)

• Braking if a mannequin is seen

• Completing two simple vision tests

• Viewing an instructional video of driving on the test site road.

• Up to 45 minutes of your time.

Participants will receive a $30 Visa gift card after completion. 

More detailed instructions will be shared after sign up completion.

For more information:

Please contact Maddie Olson at maddie@4darkskies.org

The Kickapoo Valley Dark Sky Initiative began in 2021 with the goal of establishing an International Dark Sky Park incorporating Wildcat Mountain State Park, Kickapoo Valley Reserve and Tunnelville Cliffs in the Driftless Area of Wisconsin.  By the time the application process was completed in the fall of 2023, regional light pollution had skyrocketed more than 50%, making the land ineligible for Dark Sky Park status.  It became apparent that regional lighting changes, especially adoption of LEDs emitting high levels of “blue” light were largely to blame. 

Undaunted, the Kickapoo Valley Dark Sky Initiative has simply geared up to change the local story by educating and empowering decision makers and residents to bring back our night.  Light pollution is rising globally, but it is also one of the easiest environmental issues to solve.  Let us show you how!