Abstract
This is the seventh in a series of meetings organized by the NWCC’s Wildlife Workgroup (formerly the NWCC Avian Subcommittee). Bringing together researchers, regulators, state, federal, and tribal agencies, wind energy developers, policymakers, utilities, renewable and environmental advocates, and other interested parties, these meetings are convened to examine current research on the impacts of wind energy development on wildlife and to discuss the most effective ways to mitigate such impacts.
Wind energy is able to generate electricity without many of the environmental impacts (conventional and toxic air pollution and greenhouse gases, water use and pollution, and habitat destruction) associated with other energy sources. This can significantly benefit birds, bats, and many other plant and animal species. However, the direct and indirect local impacts of wind plants on birds and bats continue to be an issue. The populations of many bird and bat species are experiencing long‐term declines, due to the effects of a wide range of human activities, including energy production and consumption. These proceedings document current research on the impacts of wind energy development on wildlife and habitat and discuss the most effective ways to mitigate impacts.