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RMAD’S PRAIRIE DOG CAMPAIGN
Visit RMAD's Prairie Dog Site!
Rocky Mountain Animal Defense Sues
State Over Prairie Dog Poisonings
Rocky Mountain Animal Defense has fought for prairie dogs for several years, and is committed to long-term protection of prairie dogs and restoration of prairie dog habitat. The protection of prairie dogs is a top program for RMAD due to the relentless and violent persecution of this animal, and on account of the prairie dog’s tremendous ecological importance. The prairie dog has enjoyed some victories through our efforts, but in many ways the fight has just begun. Developers, ranchers, and recreational shooters show no sign of letting up in the destruction of the prairie dog and the prairie, and prairie dog numbers are continuing to plummet.
Prairie dogs are at under 1% of their historic population. This radical depopulation is extremely alarming given the number of vertebrate, invertebrate and plant species dependent on prairie dogs and their colonies. Estimates of dependent vertebrate species alone have been placed as high as 170. In general, the diversity of species on prairie dog towns is significantly greater than in short- or mixed-grass prairie without prairie dogs.
On a shoestring budget, RMAD has been one of the most active and vocal supporters of the prairie dog on the local level in Colorado. Our members rescue prairie dogs, educate the public about prairie dogs, protest prairie dog killing, and are also committed to non-violent direct action on behalf of prairie dogs and the prairie.
Activism, Organizing, and Networking
Dozens of demonstrations, actions, and programs, including a threatened boycott that forced Celestial Seasonings to stop poisoning prairie dogs on their Gunbarrel, CO site and to adopt progressive prairie dog policy. Played a leading role in the coordination of the March 2001 Prairie Dog Summit and subsequent development of the Prairie Dog Coalition. Participated in pressuring the city of Fort Collins to stop poisoning prairie dogs on their open space. Fort Collins has since adopted a management plan which increases protection of prairie dogs (though it is far from perfect).
Extensive city council lobbying, protest and civil disobedience in Lafayette over the poisoning of 31 acres of prairie dogs. Established and maintained prairie dog e-mail alert system. Successful civil disobedience hindered prairie dog shoots in Brighton, CO, and Kit Carson County, CO. Networking with prairie dog activists in NM and AZ. RMAD staff traveled to NM to train activists on prairie dog relocation. RMAD staff presented on prairie dogs at a large Animal Protection of New Mexico conference. Have directed thousands of hours of volunteer effort toward protecting prairie dogs and the prairie. Attendance of prairie dog conferences by RMAD staff to stay current on unfolding scientific and policy issues. RMAD participation in effort to prevent construction of large hog farm on Rosebud Sioux reservation which would have harmed prairie dog acreage there.
WatchDog Program
Have logged more than 500 colonies in Denver/Boulder area. Have documented the
loss of more than 100 of these. Have enlisted some 300 persons to watch over
colonies. Watchdog program has resulted in the protection of at least one colony
in Westminster.
Education and Outreach
Have distributed thousands of copies of our prairie dog action packet. Have
presented on prairie dogs at schools, clubs, and churches. Cover story in Animals'
Agenda on the black-tailed prairie dog by RMAD wildlife programs coordinator.
Created a prairie dog web site (www.prairiedogs.org). Participated in Turner
Foundation/National Wildlife Federation video on prairie dogs (RMAD members
are included in the video relocating prairie dogs).
Participated in National Geographic cover story on prairie dogs (RMAD members are pictured in photos in that story). Helped organize the More than Mountains festival in Evergreen. Worked with John Hickenlooper at the Wynkoop in presenting the inaugural Prairie Preservation Day.
Legal and Legislative
Litigated against the City of Lakewood, CO, where we successfully enjoined the
city's plan to poison prairie dogs on their Bear Creek Greenbelt. Litigated
against the Bureau of Prisons resulting in a settlement agreement mandating
the preparation of an environmental assessment, providing for public comment,
on prairie dog management at the Englewood, CO facility. Threatened litigation
against the General Services Administration for their poisoning of prairie dogs
at the Denver Federal Center has resulted in a pledge by the GSA that they will
not harm any prairie dogs at their site until Sept 2001. RMAD will continue
pressuring the GSA until they agree to conduct an environmental assessment and
develop a progressive prairie dogs management plan.
Participated in the passage of a prairie dog protective ordinance in Boulder. Continued watchdogging by RMAD to ensure that the ordinance is obeyed. Participated in open space planning in Boulder to ensure that open space managers do not poison prairie dogs on open space, or allow dogs to harass prairie dogs. Participated in lobbying at state legislature against the passage of SB 111 and HB 1054, both of which proposed obstructing prairie dog relocation. Successfully prevented the passage of 1054. Arrested in Lafayette over poisoning and in Wray over contest killing. Subsequent local, regional and national media attention on the issue. Current litigation against the state of Colorado for its failure to employ Amendment 14 to protect prairie dogs.
Land Acquisition
Helped form Southern Plains Land Trust to buy land to protect prairie dogs in
rural southeast Colorado. Directs some limited funds toward land acquisition.
Program Chronology
Spring 2001
Threatened litigation against the General Services Administration for their poisoning of prairie dogs at the Denver Federal Center has resulted in a pledge by the GSA that they will not harm any prairie dogs at their site until Sept 2001. RMAD will continue pressuring the GSA until they agree to conduct an environmental assessment and develop a progressive prairie dogs management plan.
Winter 2000-2001
Played a leading role in the coordination of the March 2001 Prairie Dog Summit and subsequent development of the Prairie Dog Coalition.
Participated in lobbying at state legislature against the passage HB 1054, which proposed obstructing prairie dog relocation. Succeeded in preventing the passage of this bill.
Fall 2000
Worked with the Wynkoop Brewing Company (Denver's biggest and best brewpub) in presenting the inaugural Prairie Preservation Day.
Litigated against the Bureau of Prisons resulting in a settlement agreement mandating the preparation of an environmental assessment, providing for public comment, on prairie dog management at the Englewood, CO facility.
Spring 2000
Unveiled our prairie dog web site, receiving recognition by both Yahoo and USA Today.
Spring 1999
In May, popular tea-maker Celestial Seasonings poisoned prairie dogs on its
property in Boulder, Colorado. RMAD announced a boycott of Celestial Seasonings
products upon learning of this incident. We subsequently met with representatives
of Celestial Seasonings to discuss the situation. We reached a satisfactory
agreement with Celestial Seasonings and lifted the boycott. The only issue of
contention regarded development. RMAD agreed to the relocation of prairie dogs
from one portion of the land to another to make room for impending development
on the property. Celestial Seasonings committed
to providing permanent protection for the remaining 15-20 acres-land that represents
fully one-third of the remaining privately held prairie dog colonies in Boulder.
Fall 1998
RMAD and local citizens in Lakewood, Colorado, successfully challenged that city's plan to exterminate prairie dogs on open space. RMAD’s lawsuit resulted in the first ever injunction of prairie dog poisoning in Colorado. The city of Lakewood will now manage prairie dogs on its open space non-lethally. RMAD continues to work with prairie dog advocates in Lakewood to push for prairie dog protection in Denver metro.
Summer 1998
RMAD was actively involved in starting the Southern Plains Land Trust, an effort to acquire land in southeastern Colorado to restore the prairie dog ecosystem. There will be no hunting or lethal control of animals in any way on this reserve. Other groups involved in this project include the Great Plains Restoration Council.
March 1998
Working with local animal rights and environmental activists, RMAD organized several protests and civil disobedience in response to the extermination of a 30+ acre colony in Lafayette. Out of this tragedy came tremendous awareness of the importance of protecting prairie dogs, as television, print, and radio media covered the story extensively. In addition, several citizens groups advocating wildlife protection were formed.
Winter 1997/98
RMAD activists fought charges lodged against them after disrupting a prairie dog shooting contest (see next entry). One activist was acquitted on the most serious charge, criminal trespass. Another activist's case ended in mistrial. The last trial ended in acquittal on trespass charges. By going to trial for their arrests, RMAD activists have gained extensive media coverage and are now challenging Colorado’s hunter harassment law.
July 1997
RMAD activists, along with the director of the Great Plains Restoration Council, took to the fields in a non-violent action to end Colorado’s largest annual prairie dog shoot, conducted in Kit Carson County, Colorado. The activists succeeded in interrupting the shoot for several hours. The action attracted both local and national media coverage. Seven activists were arrested, five of whom remained in jail for four days until they were released on personal recognizance. The activists saw their cases through the court system so as to maximize awareness on the need to protect prairie dogs now.
Spring and Summer 1997
RMAD spoke on several occasions to the Colorado Wildlife Commission on behalf of prairie dogs and other animals who suffer from the senseless slaughter involved in killing contests. RMAD is not satisfied with the restriction on contest killings that was passed on July 10, as it continues to allow contest killings of animals for whom there are no bag limits, and contest killing of up to five animals per participant. RMAD will continue to work for a categorical ban on contest killings.
May and June 1997
RMAD led protests in Fort Collins, Colorado, over that city’s plan to poison 1100 prairie dog burrows on Fort Collins open space. RMAD activists canvassed neighborhoods near the areas slated for gassing, spreading awareness and gathering hundreds of signatures to oppose the city’s plan. RMAD also spoke in front of the city council, and discussed the need to protect prairie dogs with city management and city council members. Extensive coverage in the local paper helped spread awareness on the issue. As a result, Fort Collins has adopted a largely non-lethal prairie dog management plan.
Winter 1996-97
RMAD activists began working on a plan to establish a prairie dog reserve. RMAD also formed the Prairie Dog Coalition, which has attracted local and national groups, and hundreds of individuals.
August 1996
An RMAD activist traveled to Santa Fe, New Mexico, to instruct a local group of prairie dog supporters on how to rescue prairie dogs. We have maintained our correspondence with Santa Fe activists, one of whom has established a wildlife sanctuary on which prairie dogs and other animals reside.
June 1996
RMAD traveled to Wray, Colorado, to protest the state’s largest prairie dog shoot. In an effort to hide their gruesome sport, prairie dog shooters tried to avoid leading the protesters to shooting sites. RMAD therefore delayed the shoot several hours and received local coverage.
Summer 1996
RMAD established a partnership with prairie dog relocators in the Denver metro area to rescue prairie dogs on sites slated for development. This partnership now includes a Boulder-area group, The Wild Places.
April 1995
RMAD led a protest of the largest prairie dog shoot in the state in Brighton, Colorado. Activists took to the fields and managed to shut several shooting sites down for the day. Extensive newspaper and television coverage was gained from the action.
More Information:
Special News: Update on Celestial Seasonings prairie dog situation
"Balancing People and Wildlife: Advocacy for Prairie Dog Ecosystem Conservation." - Nicole Rosmarino
Boulder News Update: Boulder unveils prairie dog management plan
What You Can Do:
Join the RMAD WATCHDOG
Program!
Join the RMAD POWERDOG Program!