An Arizona solar farm is doing more than generating renewable energy — it is also providing a safe haven for displaced burrowing owls. Located about 17 miles west of Buckeye, the Sun Streams solar farm has become an unexpected refuge for one of Arizona’s most recognizable bird species.
Last year, Longroad Energy partnered with the nonprofit Wild at Heart to create an artificial habitat for burrowing owls forced from their homes by development. The project not only gives the birds a new place to live but also allows researchers to study how they adapt to living next to the large-scale solar facility.
Greg Clark, the burrowing owl habitat coordinator, joined “Arizona Horizon” to teach us more about the project.
Part of Clark’s job is to provide artificial burrows for the owls. Typically, badgers dig holes for the owls. Clark said he acts as the badger to create burrows out of plastic for owls to live in.
Clark said he was surprised that the owls took to the artificial burrows near the solar farm. He says that he typically has to drive 100 miles away to try and find a lasting farm in an ideal location for the owls to live.
The work to help to provide a home for this species is important because Clark noted that the population numbers of these owls is on the decline. He added that, “there aren’t any places in western North America where you can say that the population is increasing”.
Looking at possible broader impacts of the rehoming’s success, Clark says that the positive results of these artificial burrows is hopeful for other declining species as well.
“That’s what the solar farms can do for burrowing owls and other animals that live in the desert. So desert thrashers, kit fox. If we do this right, we help burrowing owls and other animals live there also,” Clark said.
