THE CONSERVATION SOLUTION

The Conservation Fund engaged early with the company as well as federal land and resource management agencies to identify potential solutions to eff ectively off set impacts to thedesert tortoise habitat. Together with BLM, The Conservation Fund identified grazing lands that provided important desert tortoise habitat in the immediate vicinity of the BrightSource project. The Conservation Fund planned and executed a program to purchase and retire grazing rights on BLM land on behalf of BrightSource. The grazing rights were transferred to BLM, along with a stewardship fund, also provided by BrightSource.

OUTCOME HIGHLIGHTS

 

Conservation

The Conservation Fund was able to permanently protect over 120,000 acres of desert tortoise habitat using the mitigation funds provided by BrightSource.

Desert Tortoise (Gopherus agassizii)

Economic

California generates enough solar energy to power over 4.7 million homes, more than any other state. The electricity generated by the plants in the Ivanpah complex serves more than 140,000 homes in California during the peak hours of the day.

he desert tortoise community is eager to learn from the wealth of data we’re gathering about this important species. We’re pleased to support this important research, learn more about the species, and determine additional ways to help the Ivanpah Valley desert tortoise population once again flourish.

—Kristin Hunter, Communications Manager, BrightSource