clipped from: www.flagstaffdarkskies.org 
On October 24th, 2001, the
City of Flagstaff became the world’s first “International Dark-Sky City.” The designation was awarded by the
International Dark-Sky Association (IDA), a nearly 10,000 member
tax-exempt non-profit organization dedicated to building awareness of
the problems of light pollution as it affects astronomy and the public,
and to promote quality outdoor lighting.
The Flagstaff Dark Skies Coalition (FDSC) celebrates, promotes, and protects the glorious dark skies of Flagstaff and northern Arizona. Flagstaff is the world's first International Dark-Sky City.
We are also a dark-sky refuge for hundreds of resident amateur astronomers and thousands of visiting ones.
To learn more about about light pollution view this slide show by FDSC's Chris Luginbuhl.
