She leads a shutdown on demand protocol to reduce bird fatalities on wind farms

When you have just 43 seconds to save a life, time and communication are key. That’s how long it takes to bring the blades of a wind turbine to a complete stop, and indicates how far in advance a bird at risk of collision must be spotted. That’s why, come rain, cold, or extreme heat, you’ll find Clarissa Mars outdoors, scanning the horizon.

As the Senior Biodiversity Team lead for Engie, which manages the Excelsior and Golden Valley wind energy facilities, Clarissa is the first person in South Africa to lead a Shutdown on Demand protocol. Since 2020, her surveillance programme has been monitoring the movement and flight paths of priority species. When a bird is spotted within two kilometres and approaching, she instructs control room operators to temporarily halt one or more turbines to prevent contact.

Situated in Swellendam, Excelsior has 13 turbines and plays a key role in supplying renewable energy. But the farm is also in close proximity to critical breeding habitats of some of South Africa’s vulnerable and endangered avian species. “We do not choose between clean energy and protecting wildlife,” Clarissa says. “We're not here to just install turbines and walk away. We are here to care about the environment too. It's all about accountability.”

By leading a team of trained observers, Clarissa can improve the accuracy of their sightings and the speed at which they respond. “A big part of my job is mentorship,” she says. Working with people from the local community, Clarissa is developing their conservation and fieldwork skills, as well as instilling a love for South Africa’s birds. In particular, they’re on the lookout for Cape vultures, Verreaux's eagles, martial eagles, black harriers, white storks, and our national birds – blue cranes.

“The best part of my job is when I go home knowing that there weren't any fatalities that day and also that my team is learning to become experts in what they do,” Clarissa says. “What we do here on site has a bigger purpose, and that's protecting wildlife for the next generation.”