It is a pleasure to invite you to the 17th European Symposium for the Protection of the Natural Night, organized by the Tyrolean Environmental Ombudsoffice and the European Light Pollution Coalition. The protection of the natural night and light pollution are topics that have continuously gained importance in Europe and all over the globe – a significant development that calls for both scientific and practical discussion.
The last European Symposium for the Protection of the Natural Night was held in Groningen, NL in 2024. This year’s edition of EURODARK in combination with a Sternenparktreffen (Dark Sky Park Meeting) will for the first time be held in in the Tyrolean Alps, Austria. More precisely in the Kaunertal, a unique natural and cultural landscape largely untouched by light pollution and shaped by the power of glaciers. Please find below the most important information regarding the program and organization.
The Sternenparktreffen will be held on October 4th, 2026. This event will be in German, as the goal is to connect Dark Sky Parks and those in the certification process in the German speaking area.
The EURODARK 2026 will take place on October 5th and 6th, 2026 and of course in English. The Symposium shall be a hub for all people interested or working in the field of the protection of the natural night, policy making, light industries, light pollution and its impact, with participants from both local areas as well as all over Europe. Together we can put our ideas and theories into action and continue to drive positive changes.
Das nächste deutschsprachige Treffen der Sternenpark-Interessierten findet am 4. Oktober 2026 vor der englischsprachigen EURODARK Konferenz im Kaunertal in Tirol, Österreich, statt.
Ziel ist es, Dark-Sky-Parks und solche, die sich im Zertifizierungsprozess befinden, im deutschsprachigen Raum miteinander zu vernetzen.
Das Programm wird von Andreas Hänel zusammengestellt. Wir freuen uns über interessante Beiträge und bitten darum, Vorschläge per E-Mail an Andreas Hänel (ahaenel@uos.de) zu schicken.
Veranstaltungsort: Quellalpin, Feichten 134, 6524 Kaunertal
Teilnahmegebühr: Sternenparktreffen 90,-€ * Der "Early Bird" Preis gilt bis einschließlich 22. August (Eingang auf unserem Bankkonto)!
* Neben dem Sternenparktreffen sind folgende Leistungen mit den Veranstaltungskosten abgedeckt (Sonntag): Natur-Nacht-Exkursion (bei gutem Wetter, auf Englisch), Mittags-Buffet, 2x Getränke/Kaffee/Snacks.
Registrierung: Bitte melden Sie sich per E-Mail bei Lena Oberdorfer (l.oberdorfer@tiroler-umweltanwaltschaft.gv.at) an. Sie erhalten im Anschluss die Bankverbindung für die Überweisung der Teilnahmegebühr.
Öffentlicher Verkehr:
Nächster Bahnhof: Bahnhof Landeck-Zams
Von Landeck: Bus über Prutz nach Kaunertal (Linie 220/230)
Öffentliche Verkehrsmittel: Routenplaner
Nächstgelegener Flughafen: Flughafen Innsbruck
Unterkunft: Der Tourismusverband Kaunertal hilft Ihnen gerne bei der Suche nach einer geeigneten Unterkunft in der Nähe des Veranstaltungsortes. Weitere Informationen finden Sie auf der Website des Tourismusverbands oder wenden Sie sich per E-Mail an ihn.
This year’s edition shall have a focus on interdisciplinary and practical knowledge exchange. Is there a topic that is particularly close to your heart and that you feel should definitely be covered, or a workshop you’d like to suggest? We’re very much looking forward to your suggestions.
Next to key notes, workshops and presentations we want to offer possibilities to network, to get to know each other and to experience the natural night in Kaunertal firsthand. We are preparing an engaging and inspiring event for all attendees and will keep you updated.
We warmly encourage all participants to submit abstracts for presentations, workshops or posters. As we are keen to foster practical discussion, we particularly welcome workshop proposals!
The organising committee is collecting all abstracts via Oxford Abstracts. Below is a formatted template that you should attach to your online submission as a DOCX file. Submissions will be accepted until the 5th of August.
To register, please email Lena Oberdorfer (l.oberdorfer@tiroler-umweltanwaltschaft.gv.at). You will then be sent the bank details for paying the participation fee.
Please complete your registration at your earliest convenience. The Early Bird prices listed below are valid until 22nd of August (receipt of the bank transfer into our account).
You can register for three different options:
→ Sternenparktreffen (October 4th): 90,-€ *
→ EURODARK (October 5th to 6th): 190,-€ **
→ Complete event (October 4th to 6th): 270,-€
* In addition to the Sternenparktreffen, the following services are included in the event costs on Sunday: Nature-Night-Excursion (weather permitting, in English), Lunch Buffet, 2x Drinks/Coffee/Snacks.
** In addition to the Eurodark Symposium, the following services are included in the event costs: Get-together Dinner (Monday), Nature-Night-Excursion (Sunday or Tuesday, weather permitting), 2x Lunch Buffet, 4x Drinks/Coffee/Snacks (Monday, Tuesday).
Sternenparktreffen and EURODARK 2026 will take place at:
Quellalpin
Feichten 134
6524 Kaunertal – Tirol
Next train station: Bahnhof Landeck-Zams
From Landeck: Bus via Prutz to Kaunertal (line 220/230)
Public transport: Route planner
Nearest airport: Innsbruck Airport
The local tourism board "Tourismusverband Kaunertal" is happy to help you to find the right accommodation option near the venue. For more information please visit their website or contact them via mail.
Further Information will follow soon as this website will constantly be updated. You can also register for the ELPC Newsletter to receive the newest information right away.
The Innsbruck Nature Film Festival (INFF) initiated by the Tyrolean Environmental Ombudsoffice is going to take place for the 25th time from October 6th to 11th, 2026 in Innsbruck. It is a renowned nature and environmental film festival. The international film competition attracts hundreds of filmmakers and thousands of visitors every year who are passionate about art, culture, nature, and ecology. INFF provides free festival passes for all EURODARK-attendees!
Organizational enquiries
Lena Oberdorfer, MSc.
Email: l.oberdorfer@tiroler-umweltanwaltschaft.gv.at
Telefon: +43 676 8850 882290
Content-related enquiries
Mag.a Stefanie Pontasch, PhD
Email: s.pontasch@tirol.gv.at
Telefon: +43 512 508 3486
DI (FH) Stefanie Suchy
Email: s.suchy@tiroler-umweltanwaltschaft.gv.at
Phone: +43 676 8850 882390
