Ameren, in cooperation with the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC), has created a program to preserve and enhance wildlife habitat on land underneath Ameren transmission lines. The program is called Wires Over Wildlife. Property owners will be allowed to manage land where Ameren Missouri easements are located under transmission lines. MDC staff will provide technical counsel. Ameren will reimburse property owners to help reduce costs of maintaining land underneath the wires. Habitat work will focus on restoration of natural wildlife communities that occur, or could be established, under power lines on transmission easements.
“Ameren Missouri has a long history of wildlife protection and enhancement,” Richard Mark, senior vice president, Customer Operations, said. “Today, we help build eagle nesting boxes, improve song bird habitat, install swan diverters and assist in a banding program for peregrine falcons. Wires Over Wildlife is another great program that supports natural resource conservation. We are committed to being good stewards of the environment, and Wires Over Wildlife is another example of this dedication.”
“Wires Over Wildlife is one of many ways that MDC works with and for Missourians to sustain healthy forests, fish and wildlife,” said MDC Director Bob Ziehmer. “By partnering with Ameren, and ultimately Missouri landowners, we can add valuable wildlife habitat on private lands while reducing costs associated with vegetation maintenance under these transmission lines. Everybody wins with Wires Over Wildlife.”
Property owners whose land may be eligible for the program should contact the MDC at either their local office or a Private Lands Conservationist for more information. Visit mdc.mo.gov and search “Who’s My Local Contact” for MDC contact information by county.
The program is scheduled to begin this spring.
Ameren Missouri, along with MDC and other organizations, also supports Forest ReLeaf of Missouri. Forest ReLeaf provides trees for planting by non-profits and communities.
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Ameren Missouri has been providing electric and gas service for more than a century, and our electric rates are among the lowest in the nation. We serve 1.2 million electric and 126,000 natural gas customers in central and eastern Missouri. Our mission is to meet their energy needs in a safe, reliable, efficient and environmentally responsible manner. Our service area covers 63 counties and 500 towns, including the greater St. Louis area. For more information, visit AmerenMissouri.com.
CONTACT: Missouri Communications, 314.554.2182, missouricommunications@ameren.com