Wildflowers and Wind Power

Whether concerned about global warming or high energy prices, many Washingtonians are looking at alternative energy as an option for heating and cooling their homes.  At The Wild Horse Wind and Solar Facility and Renewable Energy Center, they can get a first hand look at some of the options for renewable energy for the home.

Located in Kittitas County (about 16 miles east of Ellensburg, Wash.), this scenic wind farm produces up to 273 megawatts of electricity from its 149 wind turbines, and another 502 kilowatts from its solar array - one of the largest in the state.  Set on Whiskey Dick Mountain, with 360 degree views of Mount Rainier, Mount Hood, Mount Adams and the Columbia River basin, Wild Horse Wind and Solar Facility also features a Renewable Energy Center open to the public with educational displays about wind and solar energy.  Visitors can get an up-close look at wind turbines, as well as explore the stunning scenery using the farm’s variety of outdoor trails.

For the gardeners, there are stunning wildflower displays that vary by season.  Drought tolerant and hardy, many of these can easily be incorporated in the home garden, particularly sunny garden locations such as dry slopes, planting strips between the sidewalk and street and rock gardens.  Among the varieties in spring include yellow and cream blooming Douglas Buckwheat, thyme-lead Buckwheat, purple flowering Ballhead Waterleaf and wooly-pod Locoweed, which blooms purple pink or white with hairy divided leaves.

Wild Horse Wind and Solar Facility and Renewable Energy Center is open April through October, 9 am - 5 pm.  There are self guided tours (weather permitting) at 10 am and 2 pm daily.

For more information, visit the Wild Horse Wind and Solar Facility and Renewable Energy Center website at https://www.pse.com/en/pages/tours-and-recreation/wild-horse.

Images Source: Pete Rowen