Pollinator Friendly Wind Farm Management
About this good practice
The decline of pollinator populations, especially bees and butterflies, across Ireland has raised serious ecological concerns. One-third of the bee species are threatened with extinction from the island of Ireland. Habitat loss, pesticide use, and monoculture farming have contributed to this decline. Simultaneously, the push for clean energy has led to a expansion of wind farms, often in rural or semi-natural landscapes.
There are often concerns that large scale wind energy developments could further degrade natural habitats. Wind farms in Ireland are located in a variety of habitats, such as farmland, bogs, and forested areas, typically away from urban areas. Adopting pollinator friendly practices at these sites may help to create a connected network of safe habitats for bees and other insects, spanning diverse ecosystems. This could lead to significant ecological benefits, supporting not only wildflowers and pollinators but also the birds, mammals, and predators that rely on them.
The All-Island Pollinator Plan provides practical, evidence-based guidelines to wind farm developers on how to manage land around turbines in ways that benefit pollinators. These include:
1. Protect what you have: protecting existing features like native hedgerows, wildflowers, and earth banks.
2. Manage native flowering hedgerows for biodiversity
3. Eliminate or reducing use of pesticides
4. Reduce mowing
5. Provide nesting places for wild bees
6. Raise awareness
7. Plan in advance
Resources needed
A site ecologist for the pre-planning, project planning and design phase as this is an ideal time to identify, optimise and protect existing pollinator friendly habitat.
Evidence of success
This practice is a strong initiative as it:
Helps to restore and protect habitats for pollinators like bees, butterflies, and other essential insects and supports eco-system health.
Shows how renewable energy development can co-exist with environmental protection.
If planners are demonstrating a commitment to biodiversity, it may help with local support, and enhance the reputation of the renewable energy sector.
Potential for learning or transfer
This good practice could be an attractive model for regions struggling with both energy and environmental challenges. It provides valuable resources and information that could be useful to other regions such as practical and science based guidelines to make wind farms pollinator friendly. The general principles of creating safe havens for pollinators and enhancing biodiversity can be implemented in a wide range of contexts. It consists of cost effective simple actions that don’t require substantial investment but offer significant ecological benefits.
Further information
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.