Environmental Stewardship
A passionate commitment to environmental stewardship
Page summary
UniSource Energy Services protects wildlife and habitats through environmental stewardship, partnerships with conservation organizations and programs that reduce risks to birds and other animals from utility equipment while maintaining reliable energy service.
UniSource is committed to protecting wildlife and their habitats and preserving our environment for future generations.
We do this by working closely with organizations that protect and preserve our natural resources, including land, water, air, and wildlife. Our environmental stewardship is part of our commitment to sustainability in everything that we do.
UniSource employee volunteers also support many conservation events in the local communities we serve.
Community Partners
We support and work closely with these organizations:
- National Wild Turkey Federation
- Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation
- Prescott Creeks Preservation Association for the Granite Creek Cleanup
- Highlands Center for Natural History
- The Nature Conservancy
- National Forest Foundation
- Santa Cruz Shining
Statewide
Arizona Trail Association
UniSource sponsors the Seeds of Stewardship Program, which integrates classroom lessons in environmental and STEM education with activities on public land and the Arizona Trail. These excursions introduce students to engaging learning techniques and help them develop healthy lifestyle habits that have a lasting impact.
Wildlife Protection Program
UniSource takes steps to protect raptors, other birds, and wildlife from electrical lines and equipment, while maintaining reliable service for our customers.
UniSource installs silicone and fiberglass covers on all new poles and equipment to protect birds from energized components. We also retrofit existing equipment with these protections when raptor nests are found nearby.
We modeled our standard procedures after those of our sister company, Tucson Electric Power, which has worked with University of Arizona biologists for decades to develop approaches for reducing electrical hazards for hawks, eagles, owls, ravens, and vultures.
We also work very closely with the local offices of Arizona Game and Fish in reporting wildlife incidents.
UniSource removes inactive bird nests and any incomplete nests we discover being built near our poles and equipment. We carefully relocate nests only when needed to restore power safely, or in rare cases, mitigate the nesting activity under a strict federal permit.
You Can Help
Don’t place food or water near power lines or electrical equipment. This can attract birds and animals to unsafe locations. If you notice bird or animal activity or find dead or injured wildlife near our equipment, immediately contact UniSource Customer Care or a local Arizona Game and Fish office.
Contact UniSource Customer Care at 1-877-837-4968.
Call the local Arizona Game and Fish office:
- Region I – Pinetop: 928-367-4281
- Region III – Kingman: 928-692-7700
- Region V – Tucson (Nogales): 520-628-5376
- Lake Havasu City: 928-342-0091
