Imagine standing under a sky so dark that the Milky Way feels close enough to touch. The Badlands National Park is home to some of the darkest night skies remaining in the continental United States, and today those skies are the focus of a significant scientific and conservation effort that could soon earn the Park international recognition as one of the world's great dark sky destinations.
This presentation explores the natural wonder of the night sky in the Badlands, why dark sky conservation matters, and what the International Dark Sky designation means for South Dakota, our communities, and future generations. While the official designation process remains underway, the scientific validation, lighting work, and community partnerships already reflect years of effort by the National Park Service, Tribal partners, dark-sky experts, and local leaders.
Guests will learn how light pollution affects wildlife, how the park measures “darkness,” how lighting is evaluated, and why protecting night skies is now considered an essential conservation priority worldwide. The session will also highlight the unique cultural connections that Indigenous communities have with the stars, as well as emerging economic opportunities for the park’s gateway communities, the region, and rural tourism.
As increasing populations and development brighten the night across the country, the Badlands offer a rare opportunity to preserve something incredibly fragile: natural darkness. Join us for a look into the science, the story, the sky above us, and the exciting possibilities ahead.
About Marissa & Eric:
Marissa Marshall is the Executive Director of the Badlands National Park Conservancy, where she leads community partnerships, fundraising, strategic initiatives, and national philanthropic engagement to support the National Park Service's mission of conservation and visitor experience. Her work includes strengthening public-private collaborations, expanding outreach in western South Dakota, and advancing conservation initiatives, including dark sky protection, astronomy education, and new visitor experience development. Marissa brings experience in nonprofit leadership, strategy, and national fundraising. She has worked closely with the National Park Foundation, South Dakota partners, and regional stakeholders to grow awareness of the Badlands’ unique natural resources and cultural heritage.
Eric Veach serves as Superintendent of Badlands National Park, overseeing the stewardship, operations, resource protection, and long-term planning of one of America’s most unique landscapes. His leadership focuses on preserving natural resources, supporting Tribal partnerships, and improving the visitor experience through science-based resource management and collaborative community relationships. Eric works closely with Tribal governments, scientists, educators, ranching communities, and local business leaders, helping align the preservation mission with community interests and educational opportunities.
Together, Marissa and Eric are partnering to advance the park's International Dark Sky goals, expand community involvement in night sky protection, and create opportunities for astronomy-based tourism, education, and cultural interpretation. While still in progress, the dark sky designation represents multiple years of scientific measurement, environmental review, lighting analysis, community support, and Tribal and stakeholder engagement. Their ongoing work highlights the importance of preserving natural darkness not only for stargazing but also for wildlife, ecosystem health, cultural storytelling, and economic benefits for surrounding communities.