On 6 June The Landmark Practice was part of Triodos Renewables family fun day at its Avonmouth wind farm. As well as marking Triodos Renewables 20th anniversary, the event kicked off Bristol’s Big Green Week, the annual festival which this year extended into two weeks from 6th to 21st June. The open day was also one of the programme of year-long festivities celebrating Bristol as European Green Capital 2015.
This was our second annual open day since the wind farm becoming operational in 2014. The day included an opportunity to look around the turbines and substation to learn how the wind farm operations are managed and how electricity is generated and exported to the grid. Bristol Bio-bus (‘the poo bus’) was also on hand to give insight into other types of renewable energy as well as the interactive planetarium, the Explorer Dome, hosting free interactive, hands-on shows for children throughout the day.
Landmark was involved from the outset in preparing the planning case for the four wind turbines, and, having steered the project through the planning, ecological and environmental assessment processes, now carries out regular checks on the site operations, monitoring the effect of the wind turbines on the environment for Triodos Renewables.
We were delighted to be asked help on the day, to explain to visitors how ecology has been protected throughout the site’s development, and how habitats in and surrounding the site continue to be improved. The Landmark stand was constantly busy, as our ecologists were asked questions about the wildlife and plants around the site and in the adjacent nature area. Activities included wildlife trails and children’s’ activity cards, colouring in and pin-the-newt-to-the-slug!