Del Mar Foundation hosts free talk on light pollution and night sky preservation
Eddie Lain and Cathy Handzel will discuss how artificial light affects wildlife, human health, and fruit development at a Nov. 12 event.
By Harper Foster ·
The Del Mar Foundation will host a free public talk on the impact of artificial light pollution on Thursday, Nov. 12.
The presentation, titled 'Dark Skies, Brighter Tomorrows: Embrace the rhythm of the night,' features speakers Eddie Lain and Cathy Handzel. They will explain how the natural cycle of light and darkness supports life, from plant growth to human health. The event is organized in partnership with DarkSky San Diego, a local chapter of DarkSky International.
The speakers will address how excessive outdoor lighting disrupts wildlife and even influences fruit development. They will also offer simple changes that residents can make to restore darker skies. The goal is to help people see the Milky Way from their own doorsteps again.
The event takes place from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Del Mar Town Hall, located at 1050 Camino Del Mar. Wine and light refreshments are served starting at 6 p.m., with the talk beginning at 6:30 p.m. While the event is free, registration is requested to ensure enough seats and food are available. Interested attendees can register at delmarfoundation.org.
Eddie Lain is a filmmaker and photographer with a biology background from UC San Diego. He serves as Valley Center’s Person of the Year and developed the Friends of the Night Sky outreach initiative. He also helps advance the San Diego Dark Sky Festival.
Cathy Handzel is a DarkSky advocate and community educator. She focuses on responsible outdoor lighting and the benefits of natural darkness. Her work involves educational outreach to help residents and decision makers understand how better lighting choices preserve the night environment.
