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Windmill

Environmental impacts of wind power

Given the dire impacts on animals and plants, why is wind and solar still something that so many conservation groups fight, or down play their role in conservation?

Certainly, species extinction from climate change is picking up fast. The Union of Concerned Scientists is a nonpartisan, respected, research organization that outlines the impact of wind power and what to do about it…

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Beekeepers On Solar Farm
Steam

This new solar farm combines clean energy and bee hives

When your land trust is drafting conservation easements, or considering how to slow down climate change, remember that renewable energy will need to be a part of the future for much of your community.

For pollinators, sprawling solar plants can provide space for much-needed habitat. (By the spring of 2019, when the new native plants are more established, the Eagle Point solar farm will offer 41 acres of new habitat.)

For nearby farms growing crops that rely on pollinators–at a time when thousands of wild pollinators are at risk of extinction, and beekeepers are still struggling to maintain their populations of honeybees–this type of project can also play a role in supporting the food supply…

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Solar Panel Roof View
TNC

Leading by example: Tackling the climate challenge in the Granite State

How you frame the importance of renewables is critical. You don't have a lot of time to capture someone's attention. Some studies say 30 seconds or less.That means helping people connect the dots as to why renewables are so important to our conservation success is going to be needed, and needed often...

Rather than talk about fighting solar and wind, consider linking them to the positive impact needed and how climate change, left unchecked, will destroy much of what we are working to conserve. Talk about balance and the need to think about conservation and renewables with new eyes. Here’s a good example…

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Solar Panels

Talking about solar as part of the solution

Otsego Land Trust features solar on their website.

“As a conservation organization, Otsego Land Trust understands that climate change is an enormous conservation challenge. Our work protecting forest and farmlands, wetlands, open space, and wildlife habitat makes a positive contribution to mitigating the negative damage of climate change…”

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Wind At Sea
NPOWER

Off-shore wind farms less harmful to seabirds than first thought

Researchers used radar and video to monitor seabirds flying near the Vattenfall’s Thanet offshore wind farm in the English Channel over a two-year period.

They found that birds were present near the turbines in just two per cent of the 600,000 videos shot during the period, and they recorded just six collisions—an average of one every four months…

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Solar And Ag

Combining solar panels with agriculture makes land more productive

Land trusts may want to think about drafting easements to allow for technological advancements of solar and wind, especially in conjunction with agriculture, as part of a combined effort to make farms viable and slow down climate change.

Climate change enhanced extreme weather, pests, and fungus is already causing additional stress on agriculture; solar and wind payments may play a critical role in keeping more farmers and ranchers on the land…

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Prius At The Charging Station

Land Trusts installing EV Charging Stations

Mendocino Land Trust has been partnering with California State Parks and the Mendocino Council of Governments to bring electric vehicle (EV) charging stations to the public at local trail and park destinations.

California State Parks is responding to the increasing challenges of climate change with the installation of EV charging stations as part of their “Cool Parks” initiative.

“Our donors and supporters are saying what a great opportunity this grant represents for the local community and visitors to the Mendocino Coast…”

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