Boulder City, Colorado: Urban Wildlife Management Danver Santos

Background Urban wildlife in Boulder has conflicts with human land uses and activities Urban wildlife in Boulder has conflicts with human land uses and activities No currently policy statement or long-term plan for management of wildlife in urban areas No currently policy statement or long-term plan for management of wildlife in urban areas

Knowledge of People on Wildlife Management Who cares? Who cares? Who knows? Who knows? Awareness? Awareness?

Information on the Black-Tailed Prairie dog Not a dog, belongs to squirrel family Not a dog, belongs to squirrel family Creates burrows Creates burrows Imporant role in prairie ecosystem Imporant role in prairie ecosystem Increases soil fertility Increases soil fertility Promotes diversity and a healthy environment Promotes diversity and a healthy environment Elimination of prairie dog = Disaster Elimination of prairie dog = Disaster

What is Currently being done Prairie dogs seen as pests and there is little protection for them. Prairie dogs seen as pests and there is little protection for them. Many misconceptions result on a negative attitude. Many misconceptions result on a negative attitude. Political, land use decisions > scientific biological data Political, land use decisions > scientific biological data

Why do we Need a Plan Balance of different needs while maintaining wildlife Balance of different needs while maintaining wildlife Long term sustainability Long term sustainability Public input Public input Several previous attempts Several previous attempts

Why do we need a Plan : Prairie Dog Control Prairie Dog colonies poisoned Prairie Dog colonies poisoned Ordinances passed to protect live burrows Ordinances passed to protect live burrows

Why do we need a Plan : Prairie Dog Control cont… City must change its ordinance according to Colorado Department of Agriculture City must change its ordinance according to Colorado Department of Agriculture New wildlife protection ordinance passed Janurary 18, 2005 New wildlife protection ordinance passed Janurary 18, 2005

The Plan Phase 1: Planning Phase 1: Planning Phase 2: Development of individual species management plans Phase 2: Development of individual species management plans Prairie dog management plan Prairie dog management plan

Things to Consider (Boulder City) Network of preserved natural lands Network of preserved natural lands Mountains and plains Mountains and plains Mixed opinions Mixed opinions American vs. Canadian American vs. Canadian

Things to Consider (Wildlife) Conflicts with current policies Conflicts with current policies Human welfare Human welfare Attracting unwanted wildlife Attracting unwanted wildlife Power issues Power issues

Complications with plan Tools and resources available Tools and resources available $$$ $$$ Priorities of human and wildlife Priorities of human and wildlife

Prairie Dog and Bird Protection Ordinance Use of permits to use lethal control on Prarire dogs and birds. Use of permits to use lethal control on Prarire dogs and birds.

What else can be done? Educate public Educate public Influence political figures, land developers Influence political figures, land developers Relocation efforts for prairie dog communities Relocation efforts for prairie dog communities Tax reduction Tax reduction

Questions to Think About What are the positives and negatives about wildlife in our community at York? What are the positives and negatives about wildlife in our community at York? How can we balance community values with urban wildlife? How can we balance community values with urban wildlife? What price are we willing to pay and what tools/resources can we use? What price are we willing to pay and what tools/resources can we use?