wind power - Wildlife Management Pro

Wind Energy can have impacts on native wildlife

The Panhandle Wind and Wildlife Conference will be held this weekend, August 8 and 9 in Amarillo, Texas, and is designed to provide landowners with an impartial view of wind energy development. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), AgriLife Extension, and the Texas Wildlife Association are working together to offer the two-day conference.

Some topics will include the history and current state of wind energy, its future and viability, what is known about impact on wildlife, power transmission issues, land appraisals, and the impact on real estate values by wind energy development. Discussion panels will include landowners, several state senators and representatives, universities, agricultural organizations, conservation groups, the wind energy industry and state and federal agencies. Continue reading Conference on Wind Power and Wildlife Issues

With the Panhandle targeted for increased wind power development, many landowners already have signed or are considering signing contracts with energy companies. But questions remain, especially about wildlife.

The Panhandle Wind and Wildlife Conference on Aug. 8-9 at the Ambassador Hotel in Amarillo is aimed at answering some of those questions. The event is being organized by the Texas AgriLife Extension Service, Texas Parks and Wildlife and Texas Wildlife Association.

Ken Cearley, AgriLife Extension wildlife specialist, said Texas leads the nation in wind power development according to the American Wind Energy Association’s rankings report.

The Horse Hollow Wind Energy Center in Taylor and Nolan counties was the single largest wind farm in operation in the nation in 2007, Cearley said. With four of the five largest U.S. wind farms now located in Texas, it is necessary to study the impact on wildlife. Continue reading Workshop to Explore Wind Power Development and Effects on Wildlife