RMAD Home
PRAIRIE DOGS AND PUBLIC LANDS
Prairie dogs can find little refuge, even on public lands. It is up to us, as the citizens who rightfully own these lands, to demand some space for native wildlife species such as prairie dogs.
Federal
The most prominent example of intolerance for prairie dogs can be seen on the National Grasslands. Approximately 3 million acres of National Grasslands are in the range of the black-tailed prairie dog. Yet, very few of those acres actually contain prairie dogs. Despite the fact that prairie dogs occupied up to 20% of suitable habitat historically, there are few National Grasslands which manage more than 1% of the acreage for prairie dogs. On National Grasslands, prairie dogs encounter extensive poisoning and intense shooting — mostly on account of intolerant ranchers.
Prairie dogs are unwelcome on Bureau of Land Management holdings. Poisoning and shooting routinely occur on these federal units. Prairie dogs are even poisoned and shot in National Parks, which are supposed to be managed for native wildlife and their habitats!
State
States within the range of the black-tailed prairie dog have demonstrated a profound lack of tolerance for prairie dogs. Consequently, state policies and state lands cannot be looked to in the search for safe harbor for the prairie dog community. There are no bag limits or seasonal restrictions on shooting prairie dogs within the current range of the black-tailed prairie dog. Several states even have laws which coerce private landowners to poison prairie dogs on their land should a neighbor complain. Many state agriculture departments have designated prairie dogs as a "pest" species which they aim at eradicating.
Local
On the local level, prairie dogs have again found little refuge. Even in progressive municipalities like Boulder and Fort Collins, CO, prairie dogs on open space are routinely poisoned in the event of adjacent landowner complaints. RMAD has succeeded in preventing other municipalities, such as Lakewood, CO, from killing prairie dogs on their open space areas.
Action: Call your nearest National Grassland, and demand that they manage for more prairie dogs. In Colorado, the Pawnee and Comanche National Grasslands manage for especially low levels. Call the Pawnee at 970-353-5004, and the Comanche at 719-523-6591. Contact RMAD for a list of National Grasslands throughout the Great Plains.
Action: Call Boulder County Open Space at 303-441-3950 and demand that the County manage its prairie lands primarily for prairie wildlife, such as prairie dogs. Or write them at 2045 13th St.; Boulder, CO; 80302.
RMAD Home • About Us • Action Alerts • Programs • Support RMAD • Resources • RMAD Store • Contact Us • Calendar • Volunteer • Achievements • FAQ