Not All Wind is Created Equal: Seeking Balance-Seeking Common Sense
by Matthew Mega Conservation Director
GET MORE INFORMATION ON RADAR RIDGE HERE
Finding alternartive energy sources will be critical to combat global climate change and ensure a sustainable future. Seattle Audubon supports appropriate green technologies, but demands a thorough analysis of the risks. We fear that a rush to implementation may result in severe unintended consequences. Wind devlopers who propose projects in areas with risks to birds and other wildlife should not be given a free pass in the name of clean energy. Complicating the issue are new wind energy projects that are being proposed in forested and coastal areas of western Washington. These projects are very different from those built in the agricultural landscapes of eastern Washington and demand a different review criteria. Seattle Audubon feels that one such project, Radar Ridge, poses unnecessary risks to the threatened Marbled Murrelet. This proposed project would be located in the middle of one of the most important Marbled Murrelet nesting and recovery areas in Pacific County. An old-growth nesting species, the Marbled Murrelet, is a key indicator of the need to protect mature forests. It seems to fly in the face of common sense to propose a wind project so close to remnant old-growth and this critical species. Would this area not be a better place to enhance mature forests for the Marbled Murrelet?
Urban Forestry Commisison- Shaping the Future of Seattle's Canopy
by Matthew Mega Conservation Director
GET MORE INFORMATION ON SEATTLE'S URBAN FOREST HERE
The urban forest is a critical component of Seattle's landscape. A healhty interconnected tree canopy provides numerous benefits to people and wildlife. Balancing Seattle's desire for economic growth with tree canopy protection is a major challenge. Last year Seattle City Council created an urban forestry commission to address the needs of trees thoughout the city. I have been fortunate enough to have been appointed to this commission and began serving my three-year term this year. The commission is still learning about the complexitiy of urban forest management, but will soon have a list of priorities.