3.18.05

Hello Friends –

We've finalized most of the materials we'll be presenting to the Senate Committee next week for the Wildlife Crossing Bill. Looks like this is it - the big vote. We're confident that our revised approach for specific test areas will appeal to the powers that be. It would really strengthen our potential if you could take the time to call your Senator and encourage them to vote in favor of H.B. 1043, to protect human lives and wildlife. If you live in a district represented by a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee (listed below), your call is even more important! Please contact him/her and let them know that this legislation will save human lives, help limit property damage and protect Colorado’s wildlife. Ask him/her to support H.B. 1043.

Senate Agriculture Committee Members
Sen. Jim Isgar, Committee Chair (Representing Archuleta, Dolores, La Plata, Montezuma, Montrose, Ouray, San Juan and San Miguel Counties)

Sen. Dan Grossman, Committee Vice-Chair (Representing Denver and Jefferson Counties)

Sen. Lewis Entz (Representing Alamosa Chaffee, Conejos, Costilla, Delta, Gunnison, Hinsdale, Mineral, Pitkin, Rio Grande and Saguache Counties)

Sen. Peter Groff (Representing Adams and Denver Counties)

Sen. Mark Hillman (Representing Cheyenne, Elbert, Kiowa, Kit Carson, Lincoln, Logan, Morgan, Phillips, Prowers, Sedgwick, Washington and Yuma Counties

Sen. Jack Taylor (Representing Eagle, Garfield, Jackson, Moffat, Rio Blanco and Routt Counties)

Sen. Lois Tochtrop (Representing Adams County)

There have been some changes in the Foothills Community Park (located west of Broadway between Locust Avenue and Lee Hill Road). According to the city newsletter, “The installation of a metal barrier will not go forward at this time. Instead, the city is negotiating a contract with Wild Places, a wildlife consulting agency, to actively monitor the prairie dogs at the park for up to one year. Wild Places will monitor the prairie dogs at the park site, seven days-a-week, at a cost of $7,800 a year. City staff will develop thresholds for the movement and encroachment of prairie dogs near or in the park site (number of prairie dogs and the location of burrows). If these thresholds are exceeded, the contract will terminate and the city manager will notify City Council and the public of the specific mitigation strategy that will be implemented. City staff will proceed with the installation of wire mesh to reinforce the existing chain link fence at the dog park and will install underground wire mesh on the south berm of the detention pond. The cost of the mesh to help prevent prairie dog encroachment at these sites will be $24,000 for the dog park area and $44,000 for the detention pond area.”

RMAD and Wild Places believe this approach will foster a more better relationship with Boulder residents and encourage the long-term safety of the wildlife in the area. Thanks to Susan at Wild Places for all her hard work on this!

A concerned and active citizen from my home state of Massachusetts contacted us for help with pigeon help. We were able to get her a wealth of information on pigeon poisoning, especially related to the horrific Avitrol. She is working with her town to use a humane treatment, which supposedly give the birds a stomach ache and is seen only the in the UV spectrum of birds’ eyesight. We don’t know much about this pellet, but let’s hope this works better.

The compassion club met this week. A small but effective and passionate group worked on a mission statement to better streamline the orientation of the meetings. I have personally been to every meeting so far and it is quickly becoming a vital resource for myself and others who seek to better deal with the difficulties and vicarious trauma that we incur through activism. I highly encourage anyone to attend, no matter how far along you are in your quest for a more compassionate world. Huge thanks for Matt Bear for organizing this, thanks to Alisa Yablonski for facilitating, thanks to those who brought awesome food, and thanks to everyone who attended.

More than 20 protesters took the streets of Denver to protest the impending seal clubbings in Canada. Thanks to the efforts of Sisley Milroy and Ann Swissdorf, this event came together to speak for the harp seals who are subject to the violent whims of Canada’s seafood industry. If for some odd reason you are still consuming oceanic wildlife, please consider at least boycotting Canadian seafood as the majority of clubbers are fisherman seeking some work in the off season. Simply one more reason to go vegetarian!

More thanks for Ann Swissdorf. Ann was able to raise the plane fare to get the fascinating Dr. Michael Greger to town for a couple of talks. Double thanks for the donor who is covering the costs! As far as I know, Michael still needs a place to stay in Boulder and Aurora. Please let myself know if you can help and I’ll direct you to Ann.

Must have been a tough assignment for some middle school kids this week. I had a plethora of inquiries from young students wanting to know about fur and animal testing. I spared them the details (though I’m sure they’ve seen worse on TV) and did my best to explain what is wrong with wearing another creature’s skin or testing cosmetics on animals. Hopefully some young activists in the making. In addition we dealt with the usual range of inquiries ranging from a few prairie dogs to a few more companion animal and a few in betweens. It’s never a dull moment here - and it shouldn’t be until all cages are empty and all beings are free.

Have a good weekend -- - - - - - -

Chris