Managing for Renewable Energy and Wildlife

Wildlife managers and researchers from across the country gathered in Flagstaff last month for the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (WAFWA) conference to discuss deer and elk movement and the latest technology being used to track the ungulates as projects are planned for land uses such as public recreation and renewable energy. The conference at Northern Arizona University included a field trip to the Babbitt Ranch Energy Center north of Flagstaff.

“There were overwhelmingly positive comments about the conference and especially the field trip,” said Flagstaff-area Terrestrial Wildlife Program Manager Rob Nelson with the Arizona Game and Fish Department. “The Babbitt Ranch Energy Center is certainly a project we can highlight broadly. Babbitt Ranches is a champion for planning renewable energy projects while maintaining deer and elk corridors. That sweet spot of coexistence is what we are trying to find in changing landscapes – landscapes that are impacted by drought, fire, recreation, climate and renewable energy projects. Workshop participants were really receptive to the strategies offered and the pathways Babbitt Ranches has spearheaded by working with various renewable energy companies and folding in the wildlife components.”

Construction began for a substation and wind turbines at the Babbitt Ranch Energy Center site for NextEra Energy in January. “After we had record snow in January, February and March, we were extremely satisfied to have drier weather in April and May. Everybody’s moods lifted,” said Prairie Handyside of Blattner Energy, who is overseeing the construction project.

NextEra officials said the 161-megawatt (MW) wind project featuring 50 wind turbines is on schedule. It is expected to begin delivering clean energy to SRP customers in early 2024.

Babbitt Ranches is known for its landscape-scale conservation practices and many projects conducted through the years with organizations such as the Arizona Game and Fish Department, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Arizona Mule Deer Foundation, Arizona Department of Transportation, Arizona State Land Department, the U.S. Forest Service, Northern Arizona University and many others.

Speaking at the WAFWA conference, Babbitt Ranches President and General Manager Billy Cordasco shared the land company’s philosophy. “For us, relationships are everything; it’s the meaning behind our actions that’s important; and what we do is bigger than ourselves. All of us in this room share that privilege and responsibility to be involved in projects that are bigger than ourselves.” QCBN

By Bonnie Stevens, QCBN

Photo by Bonnie Stevens: During a field trip to the construction site of the Babbitt Ranch Energy Center north of Flagstaff, Babbitt Ranches, Arizona Game and Fish Department, NextEra Energy and Blattner Energy representatives visited with wildlife managers and researchers on May 17.