Solar projects to benefit grassland birds

This announcement was originally published on Grassland Bird Trust’s website.

Grassland Bird Trust (GBT) has agreed to lease 44 acres of land to Eden Renewables, a developer of pollinator-friendly, biodiverse community solar farms based in Troy, NY, for the next 20 years.

Eden will conserve and manage 114 acres of prime grassland located on GBT land and an additional property in the Washington County Grasslands, exceeding current New York State requirements for mitigating impacts of development on endangered and threatened species. The lands are known to support state endangered Short-eared Owls, Northern Harriers, Upland Sandpipers, American Kestrels, Horned Larks, Grasshopper Sparrows, Eastern Meadowlarks, Bobolinks, and myriad other species. 

Laurie LaFond, Executive Director of GBT, said: “We’re excited about this collaboration and look forward to working with Eden on future mitigation projects. We believe that renewable energy, when done right, can play an important role in restoring populations of grassland birds to sustainable levels.”

Gillian Black, Director of Project Development at Eden Renewables, said: “Protecting wildlife habitats including birds is a crucial part of Eden’s ecology and biodiversity management planning. We are extremely pleased to be working with Grassland Bird Trust to ensure that these sites continue to provide havens for grassland songbirds and wintering raptors.”