Stephen C. Foster State Park of Charlton County, Georgia is a grand swamp and state park, just 90 miles (145 km) northwest of Jacksonville, Florida. It’s an accredited dark sky park, claimed to “enjoy a degree of natural nighttime darkness almost without parallel in the Eastern U.S.” by the International Dark Sky Association. The park has developed an array of outreach activities, nearly all of which involve or feature a message concerning the value and fragility of dark local night skies, as well as various night programs throughout the year. Please note that while camping is allowed, the park closes at 10:00 PM and does not permit overnight stays otherwise. For more information, visit online or call 912-637-5274 between 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 pm. Eastern Time.
Deborah Byrd
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About the Author:
Deborah Byrd created the EarthSky radio series in 1991 and founded EarthSky.org in 1994. Prior to that, she had worked for the University of Texas McDonald Observatory since 1976, and created and produced their Star Date radio series. Today, she serves as Editor-in-Chief of this website. She has won a galaxy of awards from the broadcasting and science communities, including having an asteroid named 3505 Byrd in her honor. In 2020, she won the Education Prize from the American Astronomical Society, the largest organization of professional astronomers in North America. A science communicator and educator since 1976, Byrd believes in science as a force for good in the world and a vital tool for the 21st century. "Being an EarthSky editor is like hosting a big global party for cool nature-lovers," she says.