NOVELTY - The blade (112) has a leading edge (122), a trailing edge (160) and a protection area (125) located along the leading edge. A protective layer (156) comprises an inner side (182) and an outer side (184). The inner side is sized and orientated to couple with the protection area to withstand impact forces induced by the objects (167) contacting the blade. One of the protective segments of the protective layer is formed of an elastic material that facilitates absorption of forces induced by the object.    USE - Blade for use with wind turbine e.g. horizontal-axis wind turbine installed in offshore or desert environments. Can also be used in vertical-axis wind turbine.    ADVANTAGE - The dimensional ranges for the protective layer facilitate absorbing and deflecting objects striking the blade while maintaining the airfoil geometry of blade. The dimensional ranges for the protective layer facilitate manufacturing and assembly of the blade and/or wind turbine while reducing material, transportation and assembly costs. The protective layer can be integrated within the new wind turbines or retrofitted within existing wind turbines to facilitate preventing erosion of the blade tip of the wind turbine. The wind turbine blades located in severe environments such as offshore or desert environments, withstand wear or erosion, and/or resultant fractures from high velocity impact with objects such as rain, hail, seawater, animals and/or other particulates, by the use of protective layer that absorbs impact forces applied by the objects to the blade. The protective layer can also be applied to the leading edge of the blade tip to facilitate absorbing and deflecting objects contacting the blade. The protective layer facilitates increasing turbine life while decreasing capital costs of construction and operational costs associated with routine preventative and corrective maintenance.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - An INDEPENDENT CLAIM is included for method of manufacturing blade for use with wind turbine.    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The drawing shows a schematic view of the turbine blade.    Turbine blade (112)    Leading edge (122)    Protection area (125)    Protective layer (156)    Trailing edge (160)    Objects in wind (167)    Inner side of protective layer (182)    Outer side of protective layer (184)