JULY 14 / AUGUST 18, 2021
REDSTONE • REVIEW
PAGE 11
CONSIDER Wildlife fleeing wildfires need special kinds of help By Mysti Tatro Redstone Review LYONS – Summer. For Coloradoans, that means river romping, wildflowers, and smoky skies. Wildfires are a natural part of our arid climate in the hot summer months, but lately, the severity and freTatro quency of these fires have exploded. Factors such as climate warming and fire suppression near populated areas have intensified wildfires. After the Australian bush was engulfed in flames in 2020, many saw burned koalas and wombats flash across the news. With the season for western fires approaching, you may wonder what you can do for local wildlife if one strikes near you. For wildlife across the globe, this natural phenomenon is nothing new. Many species in Colorado have found ways to escape thanks to the diversity of habitat that dots the land. The blaze of a moderate fire often spares wetlands and patches of forest with low amounts of fire fuels. These areas are often a haven for animals in these events, as was seen last year when the Cameron Peak fire broke out. Colorado Parks and Wildlife monitored an entire herd of elk that would hang out on the fire’s perimeter, near their seasonal feeding range. For habitats such as the bush in Australia, these safety pockets are much more intermittent and the fire can travel more quickly with highly combustible plants. Sometimes wildlife considers backyards and green spaces near neighborhoods as a safe place to rest when fleeing a fire. They often prefer habitats away from human activity and won’t stay long – if we take the appropriate measures. There are a few ways to befriend the wild ani-
RMBG Continued from Page 4 cross-country trek to Santa Fe and California and service in the Navy that brought him to Hawaii and South America, where he studied the flora and fauna at every opportunity. He returned east long enough to marry and get a medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania and then headed west again with the 1849 gold rush. He died that year in California, treating gold miners with typhoid until he caught it himself. As a teenager, Gambel spent two summers as an assistant to Thomas Nuttall (1786-1859), a famous English ornithologist and botanist. In honor of Nuttall’s contributions for-
come across one in need. Be sure to call our center before containing the animal to keep yourself and the critter safe. Dial 303-823-8455 if you think you’ve found an animal in distress. Greenwood only received one animal injured due mals that are escaping wildfire. Remove all food attractants surrounding your home. It to fires in 2020. A Western grebe was found in a chicken is best to avoid conflicts by eliminating any edible items coop downed by the smoke as residents were fleeing their that may prompt animals to stick around longer than they mountain home. Luckily the animal recovered and was reare welcome. Feeding wildlife intentionally (or not) can leased back into the wild after receiving treatment. In the long term, animals can struggle to find suitable cause harm to the animal’s well being in the long run. habitats after a fire. For more specialized animals, the resources they need for survival are becoming harder to find with increased urbanization. Fortunately, many of the forest critters of Colorado are adaptable and can survive in less specialized habitats. For some species, the long-term effects of a fire can benefit them. The nutrients from the ash can bolster grasses and low-growing forbs that many forest species graze on. Help encourage healthy habitat after the fires by volunteering. The worst part of wildfire for the animals is the loss of suitable homes and food resources. Check out Wildlands Restoration Volunteers, Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado, Lyons Volunteers (LOV), and so many other restoration As the season for western wildfires approaches, there are things you can do groups to learn how you can help. to help local wildlife fleeing their burning homes. Overall, the best thing to do for wild animals escaping a fire is to leave them alone. Wildlife have always lived with Some experts will recommend folks leave water out for fleeing animals. If you do leave water in your yard, only fire and for some species, it is even essential. This summer, do so for a week or two so that animals do not make a be prepared to deal with smoky skies and help the animals losing their homes due to wildfires. habit of returning. Leave a box and old towel in your car in case you come Mysti Tatro is the Communications & Marketing Coordiacross an injured animal. While burn victims from Colorado wildfires are rare, you can prepare yourself if you nator at Greenwood Wildlife Rehabilitation Center.
mally cataloging species, his name appears in many American plant and animal names, like Nuttall’s cottontail (Sylvilagus nuttallii) and Nuttall’s larkspur (Delphinium nuttallianum), both of which can be seen locally. The two men kept up a lifelong correspondence of scientific collaboration. Gambel named a California woodpecker after his mentor, Nuttall’s woodpecker (Dryobates nuttallii). When Gambel sent Nuttall a specimen of an interesting oak to examine, Nuttall in turn named it after his talented assistant: the Gambel oak. Jessie Berta-Thompson is a member of the Rocky Mountain Botanic Gardens Board.
Jonelle Tucker 303-902-6250 jtucker@realtor.com www.tuckergroupinc.com
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LEAF Continued from Page 8 one of many examples of LEAF’s impact in our community. Student volunteers Cassidy Batts and Eva Lennert also told our donors about their involvement with LEAF. Batts, who will be a senior at Lyons High School, volunteers regularly at the Food Pantry. Lennert, who just graduated from Niwot High School, organized a monthly food drive in her neighborhood. Both Batts and Lennert’s efforts were powerfully supportive last year, as our community struggled and our food pantry struggled to keep up. Closing out the program, LEAF’s Board Chair Tricia Marsh presented our annual
donor awards. Honored this year were Justin and Angela Nelson, the Lyons Catholic Community, the David and Barbara Harrison family, Rob and Anita Miller, and Doug and Amy Stahl. Our donors’ generosity and commitment, year over year, have sustained this community. I don’t have enough words or gratitude to thank all of the donors who have come alongside, catching our vision to change our little corner of the world by growing healthy community together. If our shared experience at this year’s “I’m A LEAF Lover” donor appreciation party is any indication, I’d say we are succeeding. Let’s keep up the good work.
