Make A Difference!  Volunteers needed immediately for a research study on street lighting and pedestrian visibility.

Kickapoo Valley Dark Sky Initiative is recruiting 100 volunteers to participate in our research study in La Farge, WI in October 2026.  This study of new lighting technology will evaluate 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

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

• Braking if a mannequin is seen

• Completing two simple vision tests

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

• Up to 90 minutes of your time during one evening this fall.

Location:

Kickapoo Valley Reserve Visitor Center, S3661 State Road 131, La Farge, WI 54639

Sign Up:

Streetlight Testing Signup Link

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!