It was a cloudless, warm and sunny Saturday when CFACT Fellow Trenten Rippy and his friends from the University of Science and Arts Oklahoma set out on an impromptu hike through the Wichita Mountains. Donning a bird-shaped hat for laughs and faux camouflage, Trenten led the group down a well-marked trail and through a wooded area.

While going off trail to snap some pictures of wild turkeys, the group found themselves on the shore of a large lake. As fate would have it, Trenten noticed the tops of wind turbines peaking out from behind the mountains. Concerned for the avian wildlife that surrounded them, Trenten took the opportunity to highlight the danger that wind farms pose to our feathered friends.

According to Trenten, “Seeing the wind farm in the distance sparked our conversation about wind energy and it’s harmful effects on both local avian wildlife and our economy.” Of course, Trenten is dead on. As CFACT has publicly highlighted for years, wind farms kill on average an astounding 150,000 birds in the U.S. annually.
After concluding their discussion, the group spent time taking in their beautiful surroundings. Using their binoculars provided by CFACT, they observed local bird species from a respectful distance. The party even brought an avian field guide to aid them in identifying local fauna.

In hindsight, Trenten had this to say about his experience, “I enjoyed getting to inform a few friends about how we can move forward to a world that is both nature friendly and economically efficient. I look forward to seeing how else I can educate my friends and fellow students with CFACT’s help.”

Thanks to Trenten, his friends are now better informed on the real facts surrounding wind farms and their effect on bird populations, provided by CFACT.
It’s not every day that a well-spoken and well-informed young lady puts an entire government...