Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument officially designated as an International Dark Sky Park

Dark Sky International News Release by Natasha Chortos

2026 May 15

Ajo, Arizona - The National Park Service and DarkSky International are pleased to announce Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument as an International Dark Sky Park, a place recognized for its incredible night skies and passionate local community dedicated to protecting them.

"DarkSky International is extremely proud of the efforts of the teams at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument to continue to preserve the magical landscape and promote dark-sky lighting and values," said Michael Rymer, DarkSky International Community Program Manager. "The ecosystems throughout the national monument are home to amazing plants and animals, many of which depend on darkness to thrive. This achievement ensures those nocturnal species are allowed to continue living in an environment to which they are accustomed, so we are grateful to Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument for furthering the conservation of its night sky."

Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument was founded in 1937 to preserve an area representative of the Sonoran Desert in the United States. The iconic basin and range formation, characterized by jagged cliffs and wide sloping valleys, provides a beautiful landscape for the monument's plants and animals.

The Sonoran Desert is the most biodiverse desert in the world. Winter rains and summer monsoons invite a carpet of green plants, leafy ocotillo, the enchanting scents of creosote bush, and millions of Mexican gold poppies. The northernmost population of organ pipe cacti give the monument its name, and it is one of the only places in the world where organ pipe, senita, and saguaro cacti can be found living alongside one another.

"Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, in the heart of the Sonoran Desert, is proud to receive this Dark Sky designation. Protecting the monument's night environment honors a landscape where the stars have guided and inspired early peoples for generations and continue to shape our understanding of this place today," said Superintendent Raquel Montez. "This recognition reflects focused efforts to modernize park infrastructure in ways that support the surrounding natural environment. National parks remain among the most valuable places in the country to experience the clarity of star-filled skies, from distant galaxies to the planets that define our shared night."

Over the last decade, the monument has taken action to provide greater protection for the nocturnal ecosystems. Mountain lions, bats, and moths can all be found within the monument and rely on natural darkness to survive. Over 100 light fixtures have been updated, years of sky quality monitoring completed, more than 100 astronomy evening programs and telescope nights presented, and dozens of outreach events in Ajo planned to help promote healthy dark skies and bring public support to the fight against light pollution. The monument began running an astronomer-in-residence program in 2025, and has hosted two residencies so far.

"Clear skies and brilliant starscapes are an essential part of any wilderness experience. As the beating heart of the Sonoran Desert, Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument is truly a bucket-list destination for night sky enthusiasts," states Aaron Cooper, Executive Director at International Sonoran Desert Alliance. "We're thrilled about the natural and cultural resource benefits that come with Dark Sky certification—and equally excited about the boost it brings to sustainable economic development. Big thanks and congratulations are due to the team at Organ Pipe for their tireless efforts to preserve and enrich the incomparable Sonoran Desert."

This designation is an incredible milestone for the park and represents years of hard work from park staff. The monument remains committed to continuing public astronomy outreach and continuing to update remaining light fixtures into compliance.

"To me the nighttime is a quintessential component of a desert experience. There is little as humbling and beautiful as spending time appreciating the desert's diverse array of nocturnal critters navigating the landscape by starlight as even our ancestors once did. Dark Skies are a blessing in a world plagued by light pollution!" said Craig Fischer, biologist and Ajo visitor-turned-local.

A celebration with the community and visitors will occur in Winter 2027, with details to come at a later date.

About the International Dark Sky Places Program: Founded in 2001, the International Dark Sky Places Program is a non-regulatory and voluntary program encouraging communities, parks, and protected areas worldwide to preserve and protect dark sites through effective lighting policies, environmentally responsible outdoor lighting, and public education. When used indiscriminately, artificial light can disrupt ecosystems, impact human health, waste money and energy, contribute to climate change, and block our view and connection to the universe. Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument now joins more than 270 Places that have demonstrated robust community support for dark sky advocacy and strive to protect the night from light pollution. Learn more by visiting https://darksky.org/what-we-do/international-dark-sky-places/.

About DarkSky International: The mission of DarkSky is to preserve and protect the nighttime environment and our heritage of dark skies through environmentally responsible outdoor lighting. Learn more at Dark Sky International.

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