Gina Harder, a former Leelanau Township trustee, discovered the profound beauty of the night sky while building her home in Omena, prompting her to appreciate the awe-inspiring stars amidst the stresses of construction. As a member of Leelanau Dark Sky, a chapter of Leelanau Energy focused on reducing light pollution, Harder and her group advocate for responsible lighting practices to protect the region’s dark skies. Dr. Jerry Dobek, a founder of the international dark sky movement, emphasizes the importance of directing light appropriately to enhance visibility, save energy, and support nocturnal wildlife. Since its inception in 2018, Leelanau Dark Sky has organized numerous initiatives, including lobbying for updated lighting ordinances and installing dark-sky-friendly lights in key locations. The group is also collaborating with Consumers Energy to explore better lighting options. Upcoming initiatives include a presentation on limiting light pollution, where attendees can receive free energy-efficient light bulbs.