A Wisconsin Public Service (WPS) fan favorite is celebrating a medal-worthy moment just as the world’s greatest competition gets underway. “Champ,” the final peregrine falcon chick of the season, is learning to fly and will soon leave the Weston Power Plant nest box for good.

Champ is a peregrine falcon named in honor of 1994 gold medal speedskater and West Allis native Dan Jansen. It’s among the peregrine falcons born at WPS and We Energies power plants this spring that are named after Wisconsin Olympic medalists.

A peregrine falcon flies out of a nest box.

Champ leaving the Weston Power Plant brings another successful peregrine falcon nesting season to a close. A total of nine peregrine falcon chicks were born at WPS and We Energies power plants this spring, helping the species continue to grow in Wisconsin.

Peregrine falcon program

WPS and We Energies began installing peregrine falcon nest boxes on power plants in the early ‘90s. So far, 453 peregrine falcons have hatched at WPS and We Energies facilities — that’s 20% of all peregrine falcons born in Wisconsin.

This program is another way WPS and We Energies are building a bright, sustainable future. From helping endangered animals and restoring natural habitats, to building new solar facilities and reducing carbon emissions, WPS and We Energies are committed to a cleaner future.