MINNESOTA, STATEWIDE – Minnesota is home to one of the largest International Dark Sky Sanctuary areas in the world, drawing people from all over to experience the wonders of stars and aurora borealis. For the 3rd year in a row, a number of organizations are working together to share this wonder of the night sky with thousands all over the country. Boreal Stargazing Week 2025 is on the horizon, promising an exciting lineup of events and activities to inspire awe and deepen connections with the night skies of Minnesota’s Northwoods. This year’s event is building on the success of last year’s event, which engaged over 40,000 students across the United States and drew attendees from as far as Puerto Rico and California.
Boreal Stargazing Week aims to promote night-sky conservation and science education through a unique partnership between Voyageurs Conservancy, Friends of the Boundary Waters, the National Park Service, Superior National Forest, Bell Museum, Starry Skies North, and Expeditions in Education. This collaborative effort unites dark-sky experts, wildlife biologists, environmental educators, and astronomy enthusiasts in delivering both virtual and in-person programming to audiences nationwide.
“What began as a regional initiative is blossoming into a nationwide movement, with our educational programming now reaching classrooms across America and in-person events highlighting dark skies across Minnesota,”said Breanna Trygg, Education and Outreach Director of Voyageurs Conservancy. “This partnership’s continued growth reflects both the increasing urgency of night sky conservation and the public’s deepening appreciation for the natural wonders above us.”
In 2025, attendees can look forward to a variety of experiences, including interactive education livestreams for students, nocturnal animal seminars, guided night snowshoe hikes, telescope viewings, and storytelling under the stars. These activities highlight the unique beauty of northern Minnesota’s dark skies, which remains one of the largest International Dark Sky Sanctuaries in the world.
Teachers whose classrooms participated in the 2024 livestreamed educational programming expressedtheir enthusiasm for the programming:
“Pretty sure this was the best thing our school has ever participated in. Seeing snow for the first time made kids cry. Thank you for being so funny and informative. Grateful!”
“My students love to be able to ‘travel’ the U.S. The live streams inspire conversations that wouldn’t normally happen. For example, the pictures of the Northern Lights motivated my Kurdish student to tell his classmates all about it. This was an area where he could be an expert and share his knowledge with others.”
Whether you’re a lifelong astronomy enthusiast or new to stargazing, Boreal Stargazing Week 2025 offers something for everyone. Go to voyageurs.org/stargazing-week or friends-bwca.org/stargazing to see this year’s schedule of events and learn more.
About Boreal Stargazing Week
Boreal Stargazing Week is an annual celebration dedicated to the beauty of night skies in Minnesota’s Northwoods. Through a combination of in-person events and virtual programming, the event aims toinspire education, conservation, and community connection under the stars.
Funding Acknowledgement
Funding for the education programs of this project was provided in part by the Minnesota Environmentand Natural Resources Trust Fund as recommended by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR).
The Trust Fund is a permanent fund constitutionally established by the citizens of Minnesota to assist in the protection, conservation, preservation, and enhancement of the state’s air, water, land, fish, wildlife,and other natural resources.
Contacts
Kate Fenske, 651-955-1359, kate@voyageurs.org
David Meier, 612-446-4679, david@friends-bwca.org
