NES recognizes National Wildlife Day (NWD), a day founded in 2005 that brings awareness to endangered animals nationally and globally. The observance acknowledges zoos and outstanding animal sanctuaries throughout the world for their commitment to preserving Earth’s animals and educating the public about conservation efforts. NWD brings awareness to the plight of wild animals around the globe and encourages wildlife lovers to advocate for animals that need support by visiting their local zoo and donating what they can to benefit the lives of animals.
NES has an ongoing commitment to preserving the wildlife that occupy our service area. In conjunction with the Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, NES works to create best practices, preventative measures and mitigation strategies that will help preserve Tennessee wildlife and lessen the likelihood of wildlife fatalities. Implementing these strategies is not only about protecting wildlife, but also about protecting the reliability of NES’ power system.
Many animal interactions with power lines happen near bodies of water, and an abundance of ospreys can be found around the Cumberland River near Briley Parkway and Vietnam Vets Parkway. In some cases, lines are de-energized to ensure the safety of wildlife on or near electrical equipment. NES helps save a number of different species, including ospreys, squirrels, raccoons, bald eagles, hawks—any birds of prey or wildlife that fly or move along power lines.
NES will continue to make the necessary changes to its infrastructure in ways that are accommodating to both customers and wildlife alike. If you’re looking to make a different this National Wildlife Day, here are a couple of things you can do:
- Partner with a local animal sanctuary to host a fun and educational event.
- Help to promote an event at your local zoo or library by handing out flyers and posting info on your social media accounts.
- Suggest hosting a National Wildlife Day event to your local zoo, school, library, nonprofit organization or animal sanctuary.
For more ways to get involved, click here.