CONSENSUS

from Redstone July/August 2022

OPPORTUNITY

Prairie dogs enrich their underground world

By Kaite Fletcher Redstone Review

LYONS – Three black-tailed prairie dogs in Greenwood’s care made it back to their natural habitat with the help of Greenwood and the Prairie Dog Coalition. These small mammals were added to an existing colony through a soft release.

Acclimating in a man-made burrow for a few days, the critters sniffed out their new environment and family members before making their grand entrance into the grasslands. This was the first prairie dog release of the summer season. Yet, this release is more than wild patients returning home once more. As keystone species and ecosystem engineers, prairie dogs hold the key to the future of our endangered Colorado grasslands.

Under Threat

Kaitie Schneider, a trained wildlife biologist and program coordinator for the Prairie Dog Coalition, found herself drawn to prairie dog conservation after realizing how much help this ecosystem needed to survive and, ultimately, return to its original splendor.

Two decades ago, prairie dogs were defined as a keystone species for the native grasslands here in Colorado and across the plains. This means that they provide critical and irreplaceable benefits to their ecosystem. From water filtration and nutrient resources to habitat creation and predator-prey balance, these critters structure their ecosystem and its services. However, there is still little protection for this important creature, only advocacy for their survival.

Today, prairie dog populations have declined by as much as 95 percent of their historical numbers while grasslands have declined by 98 percent. This is not a coincidence.

Schneider explained that the biggest threat to prairie dogs is the public’s perception of their burrows and other behaviors. They are often seen as pests, especially to cattle ranchers, which makes the small but mighty animal difficult to protect. Schneider’s goal is to drive home the message that “we can coexist with prairie dogs,” including the farmers and cattle ranchers.

Prairie dogs are friends, not foes, to agricultural lands as they improve the nutritional quality of the grasses for livestock and soil for crops in their area.

An Underground World

Ecosystem engineers shape their surroundings and its resources. Through burrowing underground, foraging above ground, and providing as prey to other animals, these small mammals are masterminds of the prairies. According to the coalition, approximately 150 species rely on prairie dogs and their role in the ecosystem: mainly burrowing owls, eagles, and black-footed ferrets.

“People don’t realize there is a whole world underground, similar to the deep ocean, that holds so much importance beneath a seemingly bare land,” Schneider said.

Their underground domains, called towns, hold a degree of mystery as they play such an important role in shaping the earth above them without easy access to their secrets below. Researchers continue to study and learn about the

complexities of this species. These burrowing critters are currently on the forefront of communication research after scientists decoded their high-pitched sounds. Each of their unique shrills can voice everything from predators’ warnings and their locations, territory boundaries, and mating calls. Advocates for prairie dogs are not the voice for the voiceless per se, because of these critter’s chatty nature. Community Collaboration Wildlife rehabilitators, government agencies, and other Fletcher community members need to work together to protect earth’s systems and the species that balance them. The land used for this release is part of a network of properties consisting of federal, city, and county owned areas. With fragmented colonies scattered across the plains, the restoration project to reconnect habitat is fundamental for the protection of these prairie architects. If a prairie dog is found healthy, then the animals are immediately transferred by the coalition to be reintroduced to their original or another capable colony. If they are injured or orphaned, that’s when Greenwood steps in to help. During their time at the Center, the critters are set up with a treatment plan consisting of testing, medications, diet, physical therapy, and enrichment if applicable. After the rehabilitation process, they are transferred and acclimated to the underground world. Over the years, Greenwood and the Prairie Dog Coalition together have released a handful of prairie dogs back into the grasslands. This partnership not only allows for more wild patients to be released back into their natural habitat, but also help restore important ecosystems across Colorado. “The grasslands are one of the most endangered ecosystems on the planet,” Schneider said. “And without prairie dogs, the whole prairie will collapse.”

Kaite Fletcher is currently the Communications and Fundraising Intern at Greenwood after over three years as a middle school science teacher here in Colorado. She studied Environmental Science and Journalism at the University of Arizona.

B• R • I • E • F • S

Continued from Page 7 end with the volunteer efforts of the Wildland Restoration Volunteers. The contractor has completed much of the river work. They are currently working on the restroom facility at the trailhead and grading of the parking area. Completion is expected this summer.

New free Lyons Flyer bus service began on June 27

LYONS – Fare-free scheduled bus service returns, connecting the Town of Lyons to the City of Boulder along US 36 and reestablishing a critical transit route. Boulder County, with funding from the Regional Transportation District (RTD) and in partnership with the Town of Lyons, the City of Boulder, and Via Mobility Services is restoring commuter transit bus service along US 36 between Lyons and Boulder.

The Lyons Flyer will be free to ride, no fare or pass required, and will operate three daily round trips during the morning and afternoon rush hours. Service will be provided Monday through Friday, excluding federal holidays. All vehicles are ADA accessible and have space to accommodate two passengers using wheelchairs or mobility devices.

The Lyons Flyer will provide service between downtown Lyons at 4th Ave. and Railroad Ave. to Broadway and Regent Dr. in Boulder. View a detailed route map at www.TownofLyons.com/LyonsFlyer

Schedule:

The morning schedule will be: Trip 1 – Depart Lyons 6:10 a.m., Arrive Boulder 6:47 a.m.; Trip 2 – Depart Boulder 7:02 a.m., Arrive Lyons 7:35 a.m.; Trip 3 – Depart Lyons 7:50 a.m., Arrive Boulder 8:25 a.m. Leashed, wellbehaved dogs are welcome aboard.

Service will be provided Monday through Friday, excluding Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day in 2022. Riders can track their bus’s arrival time and location in real-time using Transit App, available for iOS and Android. No passes, reservations, or fare is required to use this free transit service.

Vehicle parking is available at the Lyons Park-n-Ride, at US 36 and 2nd Ave. in Lyons. All Flyers have bike racks that can accommodate three bikes. For information including the full schedule, visit www. TownofLyons. com / LyonsFlyer or contact Alex HydeWright at ahyde-wright@bouldercounty.org or 303-441-4910.

Jonelle Tucker

303-902-6250 jonelle.tucker@gmail.com tuckergroupinc.com REALTOR®