![]() New Mexico’s Outdoor Recreation Division of the Economic Development Department works to “ensure that all New Mexicans gain from the public health, environmental, and economic benefits of sustainable outdoor recreation”. Astrotourism is an innovative opportunity that can add an economic boost to rural communities. New Mexico’s Tourism Department promoted a Dark Sky Trail on social media which was pitched through a nationally distributed press release in 2018. One aspect of the state’s efforts is to promote our night skies as a sustainable tourist attraction in New Mexico’s “Land of Enchantment”. However, mining operations are exempt from the New Mexico Night Sky Protection Act. For indigenous people who lived on this land long before its colonization and who reside in New Mexico today, the connection to the night skies have always been both spiritual and sacred. The Cosmic Campground enjoys the benefit of being located in close proximity to other opportunities for recreation in the Gila National Forest, such as the Catwalk Recreation Area and the Blue Range Wilderness areas.ĭark Sky areas with Sanctuary status have qualities that are especially desirable for astronomy and astrotourism and are specifically protected for their scientific, natural, educational or cultural values and whose conservation state is most fragile. There are very few places like this that have public access. The site’s certification as a “Dark Sky Sanctuary” was specifically advocated for to aid in attracting not only New Mexicans but nationwide and worldwide tourism to the area.ĭark Skies certified with “Sanctuary” status are often the most underdeveloped, darkest, and most remote places in the world but the Cosmic Campground is accessible which makes it unique. The nighttime drilling Summa Silver Corporation is doing now in Mogollon is a precursor to such an operation.Ī primary goal in the creation of the Cosmic Campground was an engine for economic development in southern Catron County and Grant County. This unique, natural asset would be severely threatened by a large commercial mining operation. The Cosmic Campground, located 12 miles north of Glenwood, New Mexico, and 9 miles from the current Summa Silver Corporation exploratory mining operation, was designated as the first International Dark Sky Sanctuary in North America in 2016. Cosmic Campground International Dark Sky Sanctuary (CCIDSS)
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