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Spiekeroog (dpa / lni) - The East Frisian island of Spiekeroog is pushing ahead with its efforts to be recognized as a star park.
In order to be certified by the American non-governmental organization International Dark Sky Association (IDA), the community is currently working on avoiding light pollution on the island, as the island's Mayor Matthias Piszczan (CDU) said.
To this end, most of the around 90 lights and lanterns on the island have been retrofitted, replaced or reduced in their light intensity in the past few weeks and months.
The last ones are to follow soon to complete the upgrade.
The number of lights is comparatively small, as the island does not have standardized street lighting with lanterns at regular intervals, but has grown over time, explained Piszczan.
The retrofitting itself, however, is expensive and is therefore only progressed in parts by the community workers' own work.
Because of the corona virus, there are also delays in some work.
It is still open, for example, when the star park guides, who should explain the starry sky over the island to those interested, can be trained - this is initially planned for spring, provided the pandemic situation allows.
By the spring, Piszczan expects that so many requirements will be met in order to be able to apply for recognition as a star park with the IDA.
"It could be in April."
To do this, two thirds of the requirements would have to be met.
Spiekeroog could be one of the first German islands to apply for such an award.
The island of Pellworm in North Frisia is also working on certification.
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So far there are four recognized star parks in Germany: the Westhavelland nature park, the Rhön biosphere reserve, the Eifel national park, the Winklmoosalm in Bavaria and - as the first star city - Fulda.
For Spiekeroog, certification as a star park would be a tourist upgrade that fits the island, Piszczan is sure.
Spiekeroog is known as the "green island".
«The guests come to us to deal with nature.
A star park would be a suitable addition. "
International Dark-Sky Association
Star parks map
Information about the planned star island Pellworm