Injecting Useful and Credible

Information into Wind Power Siting:

BioMap2 as a Case Study
Andy Finton, MA Director of Conservation Science, October 26, 2012
Topics for today
Wildlife/biodiversity data and wind siting
Habitat impacts
Direct impact on birds and bats
Case Study: BioMap2
Purpose and approach
Types of data available
Factors leading to effectiveness, credibility,
legitimacy, and usefulness
The Nature Conservancy
Mission: To conserve the lands and waters on
which all life depends
Approach
Objective, pragmatic, science-based
Wind Energy
Climate Change top threat to biodiversity
Renewable Energy: part of the solution
Informed siting (operations)
Habitat loss and fragmentation
Funding
39% Dues/Contributions; 22% Land/Gifts;
21% Investments; 14% Govt. Grants; 4% Other

The Nature Conservancy: Development by Design
Integrated planning for multiple objectives

Jonah Field Project, Wyoming
2010
Guide strategic biodiversity
conservation in MA
Areas that are most critical
for the long-term
persistence of:
Rare Species
Resilient Habitats
Intact Landscapes
BioMap2: Statewide spatial analysis
Species
State-listed Species (MESA)
Non-listed Species of Conservation Concern
Resilient Habitats
Coastal habitats
Wetlands
Rivers, streams, lakes, & ponds
Grasslands, shrublands, & barrens
Forests

Intact
Landscapes

BioMap2 Core Habitat
Core Habitat - 1.2 million acres

Ingredients:
Rare & vulnerable species
Coastal habitats
Wetlands
Rivers, streams, lakes, & ponds
Grasslands, shrublands, & barrens
Forests
BioMap2 Critical Natural Landscape
CNL - 1.8 million acres

Ingredients:
Intact Landscape
Wetland and River buffers
BioMap2
BioMap2 Acres
Core Habitat 1,242,000
Critical Natural Landscape 1,783,000
Total (w/ Overlap) 2,092,000
Unprotected 1,231,000
BioMap2
Non-regulatory (vs. MESA, WPA, etc.)
All data are relevant to Wind Siting
Species are dependent
on intact forest habitat


Fragmentation
degrades habitat and
other ecosystem
functions
BioMap2: Application to Wind Siting
Scarlet Tanager
Ovenbird
Habitat Fragmentation



Intact Forests: BioMap2 Forest Cores
BioMap2: Credibility and Legitimacy
Stakeholder Model
Deliver to stakeholders, collaborative application
Stakeholder buy-in
(Brand name)
State Agencies
Municipalizes
Land Trusts
NGOs


2001
BioMap2: Credibility and Legitimacy
Sources/Authors: Trusted experts
TNC: Objective/science-based, spatial analysis
experience
MNHESP: 30-year rare species database,
rigorous standards and protocols
Methods:
Rigorous, objective, transparent
Supported by peer reviewed literature
BioMap2: Credibility and Legitimacy
Statewide Analysis for local application
Provides context, perspective, and avoids bias
BioMap2: Usefulness
Information and Outreach: (www.nhesp.org)
Summary Report (and Poster)
Technical Report
Town reports
Interactive web mapping
GIS data-layers
Conferences, workshops, presentations
Thank You
Injecting Useful and Credible
Information into Wind Power Siting:
BioMap2 as a Case Study
Henry Woolsey, MNHESP
James DeNormandie, Project Manger
Jessica Dyson, TNC
Sarah Haggerty, MNHESP