“We’re proud to support the Teacup Mountain restoration project alongside our partners at Texan by Nature and Texas Parks and Wildlife,” said Phillippe Pontbriand, Head of Project Development at Ørsted Americas Onshore. “Our work at Ørsted Americas Onshore extends beyond generating renewable energy – we strive to leave the places where we operate stronger by investing in the restoration and stewardship of lands and natural resources that support our communities.”
Ørsted is developing the Thalia Solar project in nearby Cottle County, close to the Teacup Mountain WMA. Wildlife Management Areas like this one are essential tools for conserving Texas’s native habitats and species. Managed by TPWD, WMAs support wildlife research, education, and the protection of critical ecosystems while serving as important community greenspaces for hunting, fishing, hiking, bird watching, biking, and camping.
Significant habitat degradation, including invasive species encroachment, has reduced habitat quality, food resources, and water availability for native wildlife, negatively impacting biodiversity. This restoration initiative aligns with the goals of the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department and broader statewide efforts to conserve Texas’s unique landscapes
“The Teacup Mountain WMA is an ecologically important landscape, and this restoration project will significantly improve habitat quality for native wildlife,” said Chip Ruthven, CWB Project Leader, Panhandle WMAs at Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. “We’re excited to work with Ørsted and Texan by Nature to implement proven restoration practices and monitor their long-term ecological benefits.”
This initiative is made possible through Ørsted’s financial investment and commitment to environmental restoration. Texas Parks and Wildlife is leading the on-the-ground restoration work, which includes mesquite and juniper removal, solar water well installation, and native grass reseeding, along with extensive ecological monitoring. Texan by Nature is serving as the fiscal steward and project manager, supporting contract execution, progress tracking, reporting, and impact assessment through its Return on Conservation™ (ROC) framework.
“At Texan by Nature, we believe that conservation and business can go hand-in-hand,” said Taylor Keys, Chief Programs Officer at Texan by Nature. “This project is a great example of how public-private partnerships can drive meaningful, measurable impact for both natural landscapes and the communities connected to them.”
Ørsted has partnered with conservation organizations to support habitat conservation and ecological restoration, including restoring and protecting native prairie grasslands, enhancing wildlife habitat, and supporting land stewardship practices to strengthen the long-term health and resilience of local landscapes.
Media Contact:
Charlotte Bellotte
Cbell@orsted.com
Karina Araujo
Texan by Nature
karina@texanbynature.org