On 25 April, the Wadden Experience Center (WEC) in Lauwersoog officially opened its doors, marking a significant milestone for the region. The new outdoor area has been equipped with innovative Dark Sky-friendly lighting!
The new lighting system can switch from warm white to amber and can be dimmed down to as low as 5%, reducing light pollution while maintaining safety and ambiance. The system is currently set to switch to amber and further dim at 22:00 each evening, balancing the needs of human activity and the surrounding natural environment.
During the evening of the opening, the system was demonstrated to curious visitors, including a group of photographers from Antwerp who traveled specifically to experience the area's dark skies and capture the starry night.
About the 'Masterplan Darkness' Lauwersoog
The Masterplan Darkness is a joint initiative by the Province of Groningen, the Municipality of Het Hogeland, the University of Groningen, local residents and business owners and part of the DARKER SKY project. It aims to significantly reduce light emissions in the Lauwersoog harbour area while ensuring safe and effective lighting where necessary. This approach supports the nearby Dark Sky Park Lauwersmeer, helping to improve natural darkness and conditions for local wildlife even further.
Photos: © Piet Zijlstra/PolyCiviel
