Rich renewable energy resources found on our public lands — like wind energy and solar energy — play a key role in powering our future. These clean energy sources help stop global warming and provide alternatives to fossil fuels.

But in developing renewable energy on public lands, we shouldn’t sacrifice sensitive wildlands and wildlife habitat. By choosing the right places and methods for developing clean energy, we can ensure our environment and local economies stay healthy.

At Wilderness, we work to enhance conservation while seeking renewable energy alternatives that:

• Guide development away from sensitive wildlands and wildlife habitat
• Reduce energy use and promote energy efficient technologies
• Eliminate waste
• Help bring clean energy opportunities to local communities

Why renewable energy

America’s wildlands suffer when energy projects are developed in the wrong areas. Smart policies help us use power more efficiently, develop energy alternatives that protect air and water quality, deliver homegrown energy, address climate change and build projects away from sensitive wildlands.

Finding smart places

There are many places on public and private lands that can accommodate renewable energy development without undermining healthy landscapes and wildlife. This includes lands that already have been impacted by development.

Reducing impacts

When building renewable energy projects, we need to manage unavoidable impacts on wildlife and other resources. Smart policies help minimize impacts through better project design and operations. 

Campaigns and projects

At Wilderness, our campaigns and projects focus on long-term commitments or policies that guide renewable energy to the right places. We work to ensure renewable energy projects set good examples for protecting sensitive wildlands.

Renewable energy FAQs

Have more questions about renewable energy? Our renewable energy FAQs can help.