10/10/2024
Major land disruptions set to begin in the Southwest US.
What if it isnโt handled perfectly?
The newly released โWestern Solar Planโ details 32 million acres of land in the Southwest (12 million just in Nevada) to be used for Solar. The problem: some of the land they want to upheave, holds a lot of valuable plants, animals and water.
We have a chance to do it right.
Located an hour from Las Vegas, the Mystery Ranch is 61 acres of land with a small cabin, perched on a rocky hill. A patio wraps around the cabin with 50+ mile views of desert valleys and layers of mountain ranges. Itโs quiet out here. Our buddy opens the wooden door of the cabin for us: inside is neatly filled with early 1900โs memorabilia, gems, maps and books about the precious West.
Not long ago, the land Mystery Ranch calls home was under threat of destruction by Wind Farms. The same ranges and valleys that are sacred to 12 native tribes. Hundreds of year old Joshua Trees, Creosote bush that can easily be in the thousands, badgers, foxes, coyotes, tortoises and birds are just some of what call this land home.
The clean energy dilemma.
Solar in the desert itself isnโt bad. But those who study the desert can show you areas diverse with life. Once the desert springs are destroyed and the vegetation is cleared, the animals will be gone forever.
A small group of friends make a difference.
Between local Tribes, , and other residentsโ a small group of friends were able to protect 500 million acres of land and everything that lives on it.
Sam and I spent the day sitting on the deck watching birds, listening to the breeze in untouched nature. During sunset we could hear the coyotes howling as we made dinner and enjoyed the Milky Way with our bare eyes before heading home.
As we all face a changing landscape, the team operating out of Mystery Ranch serves as a reminder; protecting nature is possible.
If youโd like to support local groups of compassionate people that are protecting valuable land, follow pages like:
