Editing Groveland, Florida (section)

=== International Dark Sky Community ===
In 2022, the City of Groveland passed a robust outdoor lighting ordinance to help curb light pollution against the ongoing rapid development.<ref name="groveland-fl_592">{{Cite web |title=Dark Sky Community {{!}} Groveland, FL - Official Website |url=https://www.groveland-fl.gov/592/Dark-Sky-Community |access-date=2023-11-30 |website=www.groveland-fl.gov}}</ref> The ordinance requires residential and commercial development to have responsible outdoor lighting that minimizes glare, reduces light trespass, and does not pollute the night sky.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Municode Library |url=https://library.municode.com/fl/groveland/codes/community_development_code?nodeId=ART7DASKLI |access-date=2023-11-30 |website=library.municode.com}}</ref> Groveland is currently retrofitting old streetlamps with dark-sky-friendly lights, which are shielded downward with a low color temperature with the goal to replace every light fixture by 2027.<ref name="tampabay_2023-07-04">{{Cite web |title=This Florida city gets the state's first 'dark sky' certification |url=https://www.tampabay.com/news/environment/2023/07/04/dark-sky-sites-near-me-florida-groveland/ |access-date=2023-11-30 |website=Tampa Bay Times |language=en}}</ref>

In 2023, the City of Groveland became the first certified International Dark Sky Community in Florida and the Southeast US. This achievement is the result of a three-year [[Dark-sky movement|Dark Sky Initiative]] that included extensive education, community outreach, events, the adoption of a comprehensive lighting ordinance, a citywide lighting inventory, and numerous commitments intended to reduce light pollution and protect the night sky.<ref name="tampabay_2023-07-04"/> Groveland held its first [[Star party|Star Party]] in 2023 at Cherrylake Farms, attracting over 700 attendees.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Harrison |first=Amber |date=June 20, 2023 |title=City of Groveland named first International Dark Sky Community in Florida |url=https://darksky.org/news/city-of-groveland-named-first-international-dark-sky-community-in-florida/ |access-date=2023-11-30 |website=DarkSky}}</ref>

The City of Groveland continues to work with new residents, potential developers and neighboring communities to raise awareness about the importance of natural night skies, to improve safety and quality of life, and to protect the natural environment for all living things.<ref name="groveland-fl_592"/>