Sept. 15, 2026
Vernon Reporter spoke with the Kickapoo Valley Dark Sky Initiate this winter.
VIROQUA, Wis.–––The McIntosh Memorial Library of Viroqua in partnership with Vernon County Over 50 will present an informational program from the Kickapoo Valley Dark Sky Initiative, on Wednesday, Sept. 16 at 2:15 p.m. inside the library lobby.
Susan Cushing, an Astro-educator with Kickapoo Valley Dark Sky Initiative, will present information on simple ways to protect and enjoy our dark skies.
“We spend half of our life in darkness,” Cushing said. Through her work, she aims to educate people on the benefits of darkness, and inspire others to enjoy it.
Cushing will also speak on the impacts of artificial light, which has been documented to effect tree growth, bird migration and possibly insect populations, and the efforts of the Kickapoo Valley Dark Sky Initiative, which aims to decrease light pollution across the Kickapoo Valley and surrounding areas.
Susan Cushing is a Master Naturalist, astro-educator, amateur astronomer, and ‘Night Naturalist’. With a life-long love of wandering in the night, Susan explores and educates about dark skies and how naturally dark nights affects all of life. Since 2010 she has been involved in astronomy programs at Kickapoo Valley Reserve, and co-leads astronomy programs at Wildcat Mountain State Park and Mississippi Valley Conservancy lands. Through a newspaper column and radio program Susan shares the value and beauty of dark skies and dark nights for everyone.
For further information about this program visit www.mcintoshmemoriallibrary.org, like the “Viroqua library” page on Facebook or call 608-637-7151.
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