(November 24, 2025) Clear power and conservation can go hand in hand. That is exemplified by Audubon Nice Lakes’ work to maneuver the Vista Sands Photo voltaic Undertaking ahead—poised to change into Wisconsin’s largest photo voltaic farm and one of many greatest within the nation. This groundbreaking venture not solely advances renewable power but additionally invests closely to revive crucial habitat for the Better Prairie-Rooster.
Throughout the Nice Lakes area, birds are experiencing the consequences of a warming local weather—mistimed migrations, shifts within the geographic ranges they occupy, and extra frequent excessive climate occasions. Increasing renewable power technology is required to guard birds, right here within the Nice Lakes area and past. By working collaboratively with communities and business, we will be sure that clear power initiatives are deliberate with birds and folks in thoughts.
Audubon labored intently with the developer of this 1.3 megawatt (MW) venture to make sure that important commitments had been made to guard the threatened Better Prairie-Rooster and different grassland species, together with greater than $2 million {dollars} towards Wisconsin’s Better Prairie-Rooster Administration Plan, the state’s blueprint on handle land to make sure the very best conservation outcomes for the species. The photo voltaic venture is situated on non-public land close to the Buena Vista Grasslands State Wildlife Space. As the biggest steady grassland in Wisconsin, this wildlife space is a globally important Audubon Essential Chook Space (IBA) that gives core habitat for a lot of Wisconsin grassland chicken species that it helps, together with nearly all of the state’s Better Prairie-Rooster inhabitants.
Chunky and brown, the Better Prairie-Rooster is maybe greatest recognized for the spectacular spring courtship ritual the place males collect on open grasslands to carry out a “booming” show, inflating vibrant orange air sacs and stamping their toes in a dramatic dance. The Better Prairie-Rooster is each placing and specialised. They want huge, open landscapes with a mixture of tall and quick grasses. Females nest in thick, tall grass, lining shallow floor depressions with leaves and feathers, whereas thin-leaved grassland plant species present house for elevating chicks and foraging.
The Better Prairie-Rooster is listed as “State Threatened” in Wisconsin and solely exists in small populations in three counties the middle of the state. Conservation efforts by Wisconsin Division of Pure Assets and different conservation teams have helped to make sure its survival on this small space of central Wisconsin, however threats stay.
Because the Vista Sands venture went by means of the approval course of, Audubon Nice Lakes performed a pivotal function in informing the conservation outcomes. Our staff submitted science-based suggestions throughout a number of public remark intervals, making certain that delicate habitats had been prevented and strong conservation methods had been carried out to offset impacts that had been unavoidable. This work helped to make sure that the venture may have significant conservation outcomes.
The Better Prairie-Rooster isn’t simply an iconic chicken it is usually an indicator of strong grassland that mixes appropriate kinds of habitat. Grassland species throughout North America have declined greater than 50 p.c since 1966. By growing conservation investments towards the Better Prairie-Rooster Restoration Plan, Vista Sands can restore massive, linked prairie landscapes that profit not solely Better Prairie-Chickens but additionally Bobolinks, Meadowlarks, Upland Sandpipers and different grassland birds in steep decline.
With cautious planning, strong neighborhood enter and science-based conservation methods, renewable power improvement can decrease habitat loss and fragmentation, and when paired with focused restoration investments, they will truly strengthen regional conservation outcomes. That is the steadiness Audubon advocates for: advancing clear power infrastructure that addresses local weather change whereas delivering tangible, measurable advantages for birds and wildlife.
The trail forward requires collaboration: builders which can be prepared to design initiatives responsibly, communities which can be prepared to embrace clear energy and conservation organizations, like Audubon, making certain that birds stay part of the dialog. When these items come collectively, we will construct a cleaner power future, more healthy ecosystems, and a extra resilient panorama the place birds and folks thrive collectively.
