Why is the Natural Areas Program planning to remove prairie dogs from portions of the natural areas?
There are four natural areas (Prairie Dog Meadow, Hazaleus, Colina Mariposa, Fossil Creek Wetlands) where significant soil erosion is occurring. The land’s susceptibility to wind erosion is largely due to overgrazing by prairie dogs and the lack of plant germination and growth in the on-going drought. The level of soil loss is at a critical point where preservation of topsoil has become the Natural Areas Program’s primary objective. To accomplish this the Natural Areas Program must plant a cover of grasses to stabilize the soil. Removal of prairie dogs on portions of these sites is necessary to ensure the seed remains and germinating shoots of grass are not browsed.
Related Questions
- The county planning package states that information about technical assistance will be available to providers in the areas of program design and Medicaid billing. When will this be available?
- What guides the management of prairie dogs on city natural areas?
- How does the Planning Assistance for Rural Areas Program work?
