“I am honored to continue serving as executive director,” said Adams.
“I am honored to continue serving as executive director,” said Adams. “The Flagstaff Dark Skies Coalition provides so many fantastic opportunities to connect with the night sky in the world’s first International Dark Sky City and strives to enhance the quality of life for others, envisioning a world in which everyone can see the Milky Way where they live.”
Previously, as the interim executive director, Adams has led FDSC since September 2024, updating its vision and mission, increasing the organization’s fundraising capacity and launching in April 2025 a nine-night, community-wide celebration of International Dark Sky Week.
“Dr. Adams brings a fresh perspective and initiative to our mission to reconnect everyone with the awe and wonder of starlit skies,” said FDSC Board President Chris Luginbuhl. “We are excited by the new opportunities before us to begin to use what Flagstaff has learned to restore night skies across the globe.”
Adams focused her doctoral dissertation from the School of Middle Eastern and North African Studies at the University of Arizona on indigenous Arabian astronomy, following her master’s degree in cultural anthropology from the University of Arkansas and studying Arabic literature at the American University of Beirut and Princeton University.
Adams, Luginbuhl and the Coalition have been celebrating the nonprofit’s 25th anniversary throughout 2025. Founded in 2000, FDSC is dedicated to preserving the night sky in Flagstaff and Northern Arizona and to advocating for the restoration of starlit skies in other communities, using Flagstaff as a model.
In 2001, the Coalition successfully proposed Flagstaff as the first International Dark Sky City, an initiative led by Luginbuhl, a retired Naval Observatory astronomer. “For 25 years, the Coalition has promoted the values and wonders of dark skies and helped create a model in Flagstaff to show the world how to reduce light pollution and protect the treasures of a star-filled sky,” he said.
This year’s season of events will build toward celebrations throughout 2026, when Flagstaff honors 25 years as the world’s first International Dark Sky City with expanded programming, including a 25th anniversary celebration of International Dark Sky Week, April 13-20, the summer NightVisions exhibition at Coconino Center for the Arts and a special Flagstaff Star Party, Oct. 1-3, 2026. FBN
For more information, visit www.FlagstaffStarParty.org
Courtesy Photo: FDSC Board President Chris Luginbuhl with Executive Director Danielle Adams (third from the left) accepted a proclamation from Flagstaff Mayor Becky Daggett (third from the right) and councilmembers during International Dark Sky Week in April.
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