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Tuesday, May. 13, 2025

Is the world’s largest certified dark sky reserve in Texas?

Brandy Ruiz, El Paso Matters
yes

The Greater Big Bend International Dark Sky Reserve encompasses over 9 million acres across West Texas and parts of Mexico, according to Dark Sky International, a nonprofit dedicated to combating light pollution.

The reserve spans across Jeff Davis, Brewster, Presidio and Reeves counties and into Coahuila, Mexico.

Big Bend received the designation – awarded to regions that demonstrate a commitment to reducing light pollution – by the international organization in 2022. Designation includes an assessment of policies that maintain the Milky Way’s visibility, such as outdoor lighting with low luminance levels that have little impact on wildlife habitats, according to Dark Sky’s website. 

The reserve is the only one to incorporate protected lands across an international border, its website states.

There are over 255 dark sky reserves worldwide. The Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve in New Zealand is the second-largest reserve at 1.08 million acres.

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