Protecting Night Skies and Economic Benefits: Incorporating Dark Sky Programming in Land Use

Join us to explore the importance of night skies, impacts of light pollution, and how communities can incorporate lighting design into their planning efforts and simultaneously provide economic benefits through astronomy based tourism. Speakers: Gina Pearson, Planning and Environmental Coordinator, Bureau of Land Management, Taos Field Office Gina recently joined the BLM-New Mexico’s Taos Field Office, as their Planning & Environmental Coordinator after transitioning from her previous role as Environmental Protection Specialist with the National Park Service, Natural Sounds and Night Skies Division. She has years of experience protecting naturally dark night skies with a particular interest in preserving indigenous and other cultural perspectives. Her work includes serving as a park ranger at Chaco Canyon NM, she was instrumental in the International Dark Sky Park application for Bryce Canyon NP, as well as coordinating the events for the August 21, 2017 total solar eclipse while working for the BLM-Idaho’s Challis Field Office. Bob Hackett, Executive Director Travel Southern Oregon Bob Hackett is the executive director of Travel Southern Oregon, southern Oregon's Regional Destination Management Organization (RDMO). Bob came to Travel Southern Oregon in 2017 after working 19 years as the Marketing Manager at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland. A founding member of the Oregon Outback Dark Sky Network, recipient of Oregon's 2024 Governor's Tourism Award for its work creating the Oregon Outback Dark Sky Sanctuary, Bob is originally from New Hampshire, and lives in Talent, Oregon. Colleen Coleman (Moderator), Community Navigator Project Director, American Indigenous Tourism Association As Community Navigator Project Director at the American Indigenous Tourism Association, Colleen Coleman leads a national initiative in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service to help Native Nations and communities strengthen their connection to federal resources that support forestry, cultural tourism, and sustainable land stewardship. She oversees the Community Navigator program, guiding a team that delivers outreach, technical assistance, and capacity-building support so Native communities can access funding opportunities that honor tradition, promote healthy forests, and expand tourism rooted in culture and place. Colleen brings a career dedicated to mission-driven storytelling, brand leadership, and cross-sector partnership building. Prior to joining us, she served as Director of Marketing and Communications at the National Forest Foundation, where she elevated a nationally recognized brand platform and developed collaborations with leading outdoor and retail organizations.