National Grid Biodiversity Programs Bridge Vegetation Management and Sustainability Goals While Engaging Local and Regional Stakeholders in Conservation of Habitat.

For more than 70 years, National Grid has been championing solutions, programs, and research that support biodiversity throughout our territory. These efforts help strengthen ecosystems, protect pollinators, and support wildlife across our interconnected landscape. We invite you to learn more about our collective work, its results, and its benefits for generations to come.

Reach Out to Learn More
S2 img 5
S2 img 4
S2 img 3
S2 img 2
S2 img 1
S2 img 6

What We’re Doing

Land managers are faced with increasingly important issues in our ecosystems, including climate change, variable weather systems, invasive plant species, and biodiversity. As land stewards, we must do our utmost to address these challenges and implement solutions that encourage vibrant ecosystems.

At National Grid, our transmission corridors are large, interconnected green spaces teeming with native plant communities, pollinators, and wildlife. Since the 1950s, we have been utilizing integrated vegetation management (IVM) practices to enhance ROW plant and wildlife biodiversity. However, this has never been more important than today with pollinators in decline and invasive species continuing to threaten native vegetation.

Biodiversity and Habitat Metrics

Biodiversity and habitat metrics are key in understanding success and identifying challenges. By working on biological audits and better understanding ecological capital and where gains can be made during mainstream programs, we can streamline processes, reduce input and achieve sustainable goals.

Sustainable Vegetation Management Programs

Sustainable vegetation management programs start with knowing what is existing and what is to be achieved. The ‘how to get there’ comes with innovative solutions that can not only provide management but be dynamic to additionally incorporate proactive elements aiding in a more sustainable outcome.

Our Goals

  • Reducing the use of herbicide on our ROWs
  • Reducing mowing frequency to support plant growth
  • Using the latest technology for herbicide planning
  • Creating more sustainable ground cover
  • Increasing bloom variety for nectar and pollen availability
  • Providing food, shelter, and protection for insects and wildlife
  • Reducing work needed on ROWs to lessen our carbon footprint

BIOaudit™: A Scientific Approach to Better Understanding Our Land

As a component of our overall environmental stewardship program, National Grid launched a collaborative BIOaudit™ study with scientists and industry experts from ACRT Services, a national utility vegetation management company, to help us assess the quality of our ROWs as we move forward. The health of our ROWs will rely on our commitment to utilizing the most current technologies and information available. Our sites play an important role in enhancing plant biodiversity and ensuring that pollinators and wildlife have a place to call home. The science behind our programs will continue to evolve, and we are already benefiting from the data as it enables us to proactively plan and take measures obtained from on-site assessments.

Monitoring Monarch Butterfly Health in ROW Corridors

Learn how AI and Strata Analytics play a valuable role in habitat assessment. Button Text:

National Grid Undertakes Pollination and Biodiversity Programs

Learn about the initiatives we've launched as part of our responsible business character.

BIOaudit Biodiversity Studies (Infographic)

Learn what the BIOaudit assessment is, how it works, and what we aim to achieve. Button:

National Grid’s Biodiversity Study for Integrated Vegetation Management Description:

Validating IVM legacy and presenting new opportunities.

The New Biological ROI

Utility rights-of-way serve as diverse habitats for native plants and wildlife.

Native Plants, Species Guides & Ecological Resources

The rights-of-way (ROWs) across National Grid territory are home to numerous plant species with diverse characteristics, habitat needs, and ecological functions. These plant species guides help identify native flora and promote stewardship of beautiful species that thrive in our landscapes.

https://bioaudit.acrt.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/ACRT-%E2%80%94-Plant-Species-Guide-%E2%80%94-Tulip-Poplar.pdf
Tulip Popular
White Ash
White Ash
Wild Columbine
Wild Columbine
Meadowsweet
Meadowsweet
Alleghaby Blackberry
Alleghaby Blackberry
Big Bluestem
Big Bluestem
Black Walnut
Black Walnut
Blue False Indigo
Blue False Indigo
Black Locust
Black Locust
Black Cherry
Black Cherry
Boxelder
Boxelder
Butterfly Weed
Butterfly Weed
Common Cattail
Common Cattail
Common Milkweed
Common Milkweed
Green Ash
Green Ash
Pin Oak
Pin Oak
Red Maple
Red Maple
Sweetgum
Sweetgum
Untitled design (8)
Untitled design (2)
Untitled design (6)
Untitled design (1)
Untitled design (7)

The National Grid Native Plant Green Laboratory (NPGL) Network

engages area conservation commissions, non-profit environmental agencies, national and regional stakeholders and local entities such as Distant Hill Gardens in Walpole NH, Adirondack Farm, MA, Native plant nurseries etc. as ROW corridors are maintained

Engagement and Outreach

Native Plant Initiatives and rodeo events invite area universities, local non-profits and others to visit a real world ROW site and witness and be able to contribute to pollinator conservation and habitat quality assessments.

Pollinators

engages area conservation commissions, non-profit environmental agencies, national and regional stakeholders and local entities such as Distant Hill Gardens in Walpole NH, Adirondack Farm, MA, Native plant nurseries etc. as ROW corridors are maintained

Fauna Surveys

Birds and other organisms, forage and breed in corridors in National Grid’s corridors and avian nesting surveys and foraging observations reveal a wealth of bird life that utilize corridors and benefit from the early successional mixes that occur below wires. Our surveys are conducted in spring and summer and data on migration and localized use indicate that ROW’s are important ‘sponge’ areas that many avian species benefit from for foraging, roosting and nesting.

Book a meeting with us

Look for our Biodiversity signs

Note Pollinator Plant Diversity

Pass on the Message

Look for our signs at locations that are part of the biodiversity study. These sites are important and are special grow-out areas that allow for desirable plant communities to flourish.

Note that not all pollinator plants bloom — in addition to colorful blooms, our pollinators need refuge and overwintering sites that may be found in grasses, trees, stalks, and snags.

Above all, pass on the message for the conservation of our native plants and insects! Wildlife — and all of us — benefit from working together. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Where Energy Meets Conservation

© Tetra Energy Sciences, 2020.

Scroll to Top