On March 17, 2022, the Virginia Solar Summit hosted a live online event to explore the power of pairing the right seeds with solar projects to restore habitat, rejuvenate native pollinators and revitalize the ecological richness of the planet.
This is the kind of integrated-agenda conversation we need more of. If you’re a REVITALIZATION subscriber, you’ve already seen many examples of such biodiversity-enhancing solar projects, such as those done by Encore Renewable Energy up in New England.
Lindsey White, Director of Development at Monarch Vegetation Services, Inc. joined host, Dan French for a riveting hour exploring the enormous and historic opportunity to remake our landscape courtesy of the solar construction boom.
Native seed mixes can be applied to go beyond merely beautifying solar sites, but also adding (or returning) naturally functioning habitat with high ecological value.
Once a native meadow is established, these high-function habitats can conserve essential areas for pollinators, birds, and other small wildlife while simultaneously improving the soil beneath, reducing runoff, and creating an attractive aesthetic on the site
Monarch Vegetation Services, Inc. (MVS) is a mobile ecological restoration company that specializes in native and pollinator friendly vegetation.
Whether a solar farm, farm land, natural meadow, capped landfill, wetland, MVS works to install vegetation that is literally rooted in success.
Ms. White is MVS’ detail-oriented. pragmatic and passionate Director of Development leading this naturally-based restorative charge from the front lines and in the fields, quite literally. Lindsey’s knowledge of the development process, the species in play, the natural processes at work and the regulatory frameworks that overlap is unmatched.
They explored decision-making process on the part of landowners, developers, and municipal officials.
They also discussed the opportunity communities and landowners now have to seize this moment and promote restoration and sustainable best practices in the siting and construction of utility scale solar systems everywhere.
Photo courtesy of Encore Renewable Energy, Inc.