We are the only wildlife conservation organization in America that is focused on wildlife conservation within the context of Appalachian energy development, and are leading the way in developing and implementing conservation measures for wildlife and habitat restoration. In partnership with the energy industry, state and federal regulators, state and federal resource agencies, conservation groups, and local communities, we are working on conservation and restoration solutions to landscapes impacted by energy development.
Within the Appalachian states, energy development includes wind, biomass, biofuels, gas, oil and coal. We are striving to develop and implement wildlife considerations for all of these energy sources. Because coal and gas and oil have the biggest impact on the Appalachian landscape, these energy sources are where most of our efforts are focused currently.
Coal - Reclaiming the Future
Because experience has shown that reclaimed coal mines can provide high quality habitat for many wildlife species, we will implement our Reclaiming the Future concept throughout Appalachian coal country.
We will become the leading and preferred source for things related to wildlife conservation and habitat restoration for the Appalachian coal industry.
Gas and Oil
Gas and oil development in the Appalachian states requires the installation and management of roads, well sites, and pipeline rights of way. These landscape attributes offer challenges and opportunities for wildlife conservation. Vegetation management on these is critical to providing wildlife habitat and protecting water quality. The installation of pipelines sometimes includes mitigation for impacts to waterways or public lands. These are the issues on which our efforts will focus.
We will work with oil and gas companies to create and manage these habitats.
Wind
With the emergence of wind energy facilities being installed on the landscape, new challenges are emerging related to understanding and mitigating impacts on wildlife. Windmills have been documented as causing significant mortality among songbirds, raptors, and bats.
We will work to help understand and minimize these impacts.
Biomass and biofuels
The development and use of renewable energy sources such as wood chips and fiber from grasses or grains is gaining momentum. Within the context of wildlife conservation, this can be done very well or very poorly.
We want to ensure that efforts to produce these resources in the Appalachian states are done in a manner that takes into account the habitat needs of multiple wildlife species.
Mission Statement: Seeking opportunities and finding solutions for restoring wildlife and habitat.
The Appalachian Wildlife Foundation, Inc. 1005 South Main, Suite 104
Corbin, KY 40701
606.523.1323 davidawf@windstream.net
