The Wisconsin Chapter of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers has signed on to a letter that addresses concerns around the Vista Sand Solar Project, which if allowed, would be the largest solar farm in Wisconsin, and is right in the heart of the habitat for an iconic upland bird species.
The greater prairie chicken was once common in southern and western Wisconsin, but their population has declined due to loss of grassland habitat driven by agriculture, resource extraction, and urban sprawl. That has largely restricted the population around four wildlife areas that serve as the last core habitat in central Wisconsin, including the Buena Vista Wildlife Area. Portions of that wildlife area with the largest population density of greater prairie chickens are near the projected solar sites.
It addition to concerns around habitat loss for greater prairie chickens and other upland species, native prairie ecosystems are at risk on both public and private land as their vast, open landscapes are a prime location for the expansive spaces required of solar farming. Native grasslands are the continent’s most endangered ecosystem, with 80% of prairies gone in some ranges. Plains ecosystems are the most biologically diverse landscapes on the planet and offer a medley of opportunities for hunters, from upland birds, to waterfowl, to big game.
BHA and its partners, led by the North American Grouse Partnership, have drafted a letter which aims not to abandon the project completely, but takes a 3 step process- Avoid, Mitigate, Learn and Apply - to work with the agency and energy developers to find a suitable solution for all stakeholders involved.
Read the Full Letter Here (will link the attached letter).
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