California Condor
California Condor, Photo: Scott Frier / U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
California Condor, Photo: Scott Frier / USFWS

Defenders in Action: Condor Habitat

Defenders is proud to be one of the many groups that helped bring the condor back from extinction, but challenges remain. Ongoing development, including large-scale wind and solar projects, continues to pose a threat to condor habitat.

The Problem

Broad scale development has always threatened condor habitat but, today, with the rush to explore green energy solutions, numerous massive wind and solar energy farms are planned throughout California and the southwest. If these renewable energy projects aren’t planned “smart from the start” they could have a devastating impact on habitat as well as individual condors and countless other birds and animals.

How We're Helping

Defenders’ staff in California and the southwest are working closely with federal and state agencies, as well as renewable energy companies, to develop long-term “smart from the start” wind and solar energy development plans that protect key landscapes, including condor habitat.

Where We Are Today

Defenders has partnered with several solar energy producers to make sure new plans for solar energy sites take into account the need to protect wildlfie even as they chart a new renewable energy coruse for our country.

More on California Condor: Success Stories »

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Sea Otter, © Rich Reid / National Geographic Stock
Where We Work
The Golden state is home to millions of wild birds, mammals, amphibians, reptiles and fish that need our help.
Whooping Crane, © Klaus Nigge / National Geographic Stock
Habitat Conservation
Defenders of Wildlife is working to protect and strengthen the National Wildlife Refuge System, the only system of federal lands in the United States dedicated to wildlife conservation.
California Condor, Photo: Scott Frier / USFWS
Fact Sheet
The California condor (Gymnogyps californianus) is the largest terrestrial bird in North America. It is black in color and sports a bald head with very few feathers.