Tampa Bay Times (9 July 2025)

Darkness is crucial to Everglades habitat. Could Alligator Alcatraz threaten it?

John Barentine, who oversaw the dark sky program when Big Cypress was being considered, said the airport’s current use, with lighting surrounding the detention facility, would have likely disqualified the preserve from being named a dark sky park.

“It would’ve been a problem,” Barentine said.

He compared the situation to Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky. When that park applied to be named a dark sky park, lighting from a Job Corps center drew out the process for years.

Read more: https://www.tampabay.com/news/environment/2025/07/09/alligator-alcatraz-light-pollution-florida-everglades-big-cypress/