[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.emnrd.nm.gov\/spd\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/Int.-Dark-Sky-Website.png” title_text=”Int. Dark Sky Website” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n April\u00a09, 2026<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Experience New Mexico After Dark During International Dark Sky Week<\/span><\/b> SANTA FE\u00a0\u2013\u00a0Home to some of the darkest skies in the country, New Mexico will mark International Dark Sky Week with a series of guided nighttime programs at state parks across the state, offering residents and visitors a chance to experience the night sky up close.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/b>has proclaimed<\/span>\u00a0April\u00a013-20\u00a0as\u00a0International Dark Sky Week\u00a0in New Mexico, recognizing the state\u2019s exceptional night skies and the importance of preserving them for future generations.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cNew Mexico offers some of the best night sky viewing opportunities in the country, and our state parks provide accessible places for everyone to experience it,\u201d said\u00a0<\/span>Erin Taylor<\/span><\/b><\/a>, acting cabinet secretary for the Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resources Department. \u201cThese programs connect people to the outdoors in a different way, at night with cooler temperatures and unique wildlife.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n New Mexico is also home to Clayton Lake State Park<\/a> and Dinosaur Trackways, the first designated International Dark Sky Park in the state.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Programs taking place\u00a0in\u00a0state\u00a0parks\u00a0include:<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n April 11, Cerrillos Hills State Park<\/a>:<\/span><\/b>\u00a0\u201cThe Skies of Our\u00a0Ancestors\u201d a\u00a0cultural astronomy experience exploring global perspectives on the night sky and ways to help preserve\u00a0it;\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n April 11,\u00a0Leasburg\u00a0Dam State\u00a0Park:<\/a><\/span><\/b>\u00a0a star\u00a0program featuring\u00a0telescope viewings with the\u00a0Astronomical\u00a0Society of Las Cruces beginning at\u00a0sundown;\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n April 17, Rockhound State Park<\/a><\/span><\/b>:<\/a>\u00a0A\u00a0Stars-N-Parks\u00a0conversation with\u00a0amateur astronomer Mike Nuss;\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n April 18, Cimmaron Canyon State Park<\/a>:<\/span><\/b>\u00a0\u00a0Owl\u00a0Prowl offering\u00a0a guided nighttime wildlife experience focused on\u00a0observing\u00a0owls in\u00a0their\u00a0natural habitat\u00a0– night.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n April 18, City of Rocks State Park:<\/a><\/span><\/b>\u00a0A Star Party\u00a0at sunset with a chance of viewing the night sky with a\u00a014\u201d Mead telescope.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n International Dark Sky\u00a0Week is\u00a0a global\u00a0observance\u00a0that raises awareness about light\u00a0pollution\u00a0and encourages communities to protect natural darkness. New Mexico State Parks continues to support responsible outdoor recreation and conservation efforts that preserve the state\u2019s landscapes,\u00a0day\u00a0and night.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cBeneath New Mexico\u2019s dark skies, we see more than stars,\u201d\u00a0said<\/span>\u00a0Toby Vel\u00e1squez<\/span><\/b>,\u00a0director for the state parks division.\u00a0\u201cWe\u00a0reconnect with\u00a0our heritage,\u00a0nurture\u00a0our\u00a0well-being, and\u00a0renew\u00a0our shared responsibility to protect the\u00a0beauty that\u00a0binds\u00a0us\u00a0together.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Visitors are encouraged to check with individual park pages for program details and\u00a0plan ahead\u00a0for evening visits. For more information, visit emnrd.nm.gov\/spd\/<\/a><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n \u00a0###<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n New Mexico State Parks<\/span><\/a>\u00a0is a division of the\u00a0<\/span>Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0Our mission is to protect and enhance natural and cultural resources, provide first-class recreational and education facilities and opportunities, and promote public safety to benefit and enrich the lives of visitors.\u00a0New Mexico State Parks manages 35 parks statewide and serves millions of visitors each year.\u00a0For more information, visit emnrd.nm.gov\/spd<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" SANTA FE \u2013 Home to some of the darkest skies in the country, New Mexico will mark International Dark Sky Week with a series of guided nighttime programs at state parks across the state, offering residents and visitors a chance to experience the night sky up close.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":77,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: \r\n\r\nApril 9, 2026 \r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nExperience New Mexico After Dark During International Dark Sky Week \r\nState Parks offer stargazing, telescope viewings, and guided nighttime programs across the state \r\n\r\nSANTA FE \u2013 Home to some of the darkest skies in the country, New Mexico will mark International Dark Sky Week with a series of guided nighttime programs at state parks across the state, offering residents and visitors a chance to experience the night sky up close. \r\n\r\nGovernor Michelle Lujan Grisham has proclaimed April 13-20 as International Dark Sky Week in New Mexico, recognizing the state\u2019s exceptional night skies and the importance of preserving them for future generations. \r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n\u201cNew Mexico offers some of the best night sky viewing opportunities in the country, and our state parks provide accessible places for everyone to experience it,\u201d said Erin Taylor, acting cabinet secretary for the Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resources Department. \u201cThese programs connect people to the outdoors in a different way, at night with cooler temperatures and unique wildlife.\u201d \r\n\r\nNew Mexico is also home to Clayton Lake State Park and Dinosaur Trackways, the first designated International Dark Sky Park in the state. \r\n\r\nPrograms taking place in state parks include: \r\n\r\nApril 11, Cerrillos Hills State Park: \u201cThe Skies of Our Ancestors\u201d a cultural astronomy experience exploring global perspectives on the night sky and ways to help preserve it; \r\n\r\nApril 11, Leasburg Dam State Park: a star program featuring telescope viewings with the Astronomical Society of Las Cruces beginning at sundown; \r\n\r\nApril 17, Rockhound State Park: A Stars-N-Parks conversation with amateur astronomer Mike Nuss; \r\n\r\nApril 18, Cimmaron Canyon State Park: Owl Prowl offering a guided nighttime wildlife experience focused on observing owls in their natural habitat - night. \r\n\r\nApril 18, City of Rocks State Park: A Star Party at sunset with a chance of viewing the night sky with a 14\u201d Mead telescope. \r\n\r\nInternational Dark Sky Week is a global observance that raises awareness about light pollution and encourages communities to protect natural darkness. New Mexico State Parks continues to support responsible outdoor recreation and conservation efforts that preserve the state\u2019s landscapes, day and night. \r\n\r\n\u201cBeneath New Mexico\u2019s dark skies, we see more than stars,\u201d said Toby Vel\u00e1squez, director for the state parks division. \u201cWe reconnect with our heritage, nurture our well-being, and renew our shared responsibility to protect the beauty that binds us together.\u201d \r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nVisitors are encouraged to check with individual park pages for program details and plan ahead for evening visits. For more information, visit emnrd.nm.gov\/spd\/ \r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nCity of Rocks State Park pictured at nighttime \r\n\r\n ### \r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n Logo, company name\r\n\r\nAI-generated content may be incorrect. \r\n\r\nText\r\n\r\nDescription automatically generated \r\n\r\nNew Mexico State Parks is a division of the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department. Our mission is to protect and enhance natural and cultural resources, provide first-class recreational and education facilities and opportunities, and promote public safety to benefit and enrich the lives of visitors. New Mexico State Parks manages 35 parks statewide and serves millions of visitors each year. For more information, visit emnrd.nm.gov\/spd","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[22],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-21842","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news-releases"],"yoast_head":"\n
<\/span>State Parks offer stargazing, telescope viewings, and guided\u00a0nighttime\u00a0programs across the state<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n