Conservation & Clean Energy

Through early planning, science-based siting, and collaboration with Tribes and partners, we help steer projects toward low-impact areas that protect ecosystems and communities.

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Our Approach

Guiding clean energy development so Washington can meet climate goals while protecting at-risk ecosystems and rural communities.

The Columbia Plateau is home to species already stressed by habitat loss, and new solar or transmission projects can cut off the last remaining movement routes if placed in high value areas. Our work focuses on identifying sensitive habitat, steering development toward low impact sites, and ensuring that migration corridors, riparian zones, and culturally important places remain intact. By shaping where and how clean energy is built, we can keep the sagelands resilient while meeting the state’s climate goals.

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Current Focus

Work We’re Doing to Achieve Conservation & Clean Energy Goals

Early Siting & Review

The program works to guide clean energy development so Washington can meet climate goals without sacrificing irreplaceable shrub steppe habitat.

Staff engage in early stage planning with counties, Tribes, developers, and state agencies to identify areas where solar and transmission projects can be sited with the least ecological impact. This includes reviewing proposals, providing science based recommendations, and advocating for avoidance of core habitats, wildlife corridors, and culturally important landscapes.

By steering development toward already disturbed or low conflict areas, the program helps reduce fragmentation and maintain landscape connectivity.

Policy & Integration

In parallel, the program advances policy solutions that integrate habitat considerations into permitting, mitigation, and long term land management.

Staff participate in statewide clean energy planning processes, contribute to siting guidelines, and help ensure Tribal priorities and wildlife needs are reflected in decision making. This work supports a clean energy transition that strengthens communities while protecting the ecological integrity of the shrub steppe.

The goal is a future where renewable energy and wildlife conservation reinforce rather than undermine one another.

Impact & Results

A History of Conservation & Clean Energy

Clean energy development in Washington requires balancing climate goals with protecting wildlife, landscapes, and cultural resources. Through policy, planning tools, and partnerships, the program helps guide more responsible renewable energy siting.

Policy advocacy that centers Tribes, communities, and responsible siting

Integrating least conflict mapping, improved guidance, and best practices

Building collaboration and coalition strength

Policy advocacy that centers Tribes, communities, and responsible siting

Conservation Northwest advances clean energy policy and legislation that respects Tribal sovereignty, incorporates local voices, and guides development in ways that avoid and minimize environmental impacts. This work helps ensure Washington’s clean energy build out is aligned with ecological and cultural priorities.

Integrating least conflict mapping, improved guidance, and best practices

The program brings together least conflict solar siting, updated wind and solar guidance, and recommended best management practices to steer projects toward lower impact locations. This approach supports clean energy deployment while caring for wildlife, land, and nearby communities.

Building collaboration and coalition strength

Conservation Northwest works with a broad network of partners—including landowners, Conservation Districts, Tribes, county planners, local governments, and regional and national organizations such as NWEC, Audubon, TNC, ATNI, WCA, RNW, Climate Solutions, Earthjustice, NRDC, and others—to align priorities, share expertise, and advance responsible clean energy solutions.

Impact & Results

Our Key Accomplishments for Conservation & Clean Energy

From protecting critical landscapes to advancing collaborative forest restoration, these efforts deliver lasting benefits for wildlife, habitat connectivity, and climate resilience.

Conservation Clean Energy Images 8 scaled

Policy Impact

Strengthening State Wind and Solar Guidance Through Science and Advocacy

The program contributed directly to WDFW’s updated Wind and Solar Guidelines, strengthening early consultation expectations, best practices, and mitigation standards that prioritize avoidance of shrub steppe habitat.

Project Engagement

Improving Siting Outcomes Through Early Input on High-Impact Projects

On high profile projects like the Badger Mountain Solar proposal, the program has provided Tribal supported comments and early stage siting guidance, helping steer development toward more responsible locations.

Mapping & Collaboration

Developing Least Conflict Solar Siting Tools Through Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration

Work on Washington’s Least Conflict Solar Siting maps brought landowners, Tribes, agencies, and developers to the same table, producing shared guidance that directs utility scale solar toward lower impact landscapes.