In 2007 The Rochester Birding Association (RBA) first published its position that it supports wind energy as an alternative to fossil fuel power generation, provided that the facilities do not cause undue harm to nesting and migrating birds. Through our conservation committee we have been active in seeing that this happens by challenging wind projects to reduce the impacts on birds and habitat through better project siting. We will show an example of how citizens affected policy and that will result in a commercial project that has fewer impacts to the environment while still meeting their goal of increasing the green energy supply.
Amy Kahn worked for 44 years as a professional ecologist, environmental scientist and educator, much of that time for the State of New York. She has served as Conservation Chair for Rochester Birding Association for 9 years and is a past RBA Vice President and President. She is dedicated to finding ways to produce green energy while preserving biodiversity. Amy received her MS in Environmental and Forest Ecology from SUNY CESF. She believes that individuals working together with others to affect positive change is the way we have a chance to succeed in passing this world on to future generations.
Kate Kremer is an RBA member and a founding member and Vice President of Save Ontario Shores (SOS). SOS is a not for profit organization formed in 2015, made up of Orleans and Niagara County residents who came together to explore local impacts of Lighthouse Wind, a large scale industrial wind project proposed in the towns of Yates and Somerset on the shores of Lake Ontario. She worked with other organizations to form the POWER coalition that opposed the siting of the Lighthouse Wind project in the Great Lakes shoreline migratory stopover region. She worked with RBA, Genesee Valley Audubon and the American Bird Conservancy, among other local groups, to bring local voices and local expertise to several industrial wind siting cases.
Look for the Zoom link in your email a few days prior to the meeting. The Zoom Room will open at 6:45 PM. Don’t wait until the last minute to sign on, you might be left out!
