9.22.06

Friday, September 22, 2006

Happy Autumn, Everyone.It was a long, hot summer, wasn’t it? Perhaps the coldest building I visited this summer was the Boulder City Council Chambers... That room may have provided a reprieve from the heat, but it didn’t provide a reprieve from killing for Boulder’s prairie dogs.

As we speak, removal “specialists” are working to tear prairie dogs from their homes in and around Tom Watson park. Keep Boulder Wild fought long and vigorously to save these animals – and is still active in working protecting our priceless prairie wildlife – and while both science and compassion are on our side, the city concluded that lethal control would be a tool in their arsenal.We mourn for these animals as they are trapped and fed to ferrets.In some situations, the City of Boulder is utilizing “passive” relocation methods in which prairie dogs are politely urged to move on, thereby preventing needless and cruel killing of our native wildlife. This project is crucial not only in immediately sparing lives, but in showing these effective methods can be favored over killing.

Pam Wanek of Prairie Preserves LLC is leading this effort and is looking for 4-5 volunteers. Please see Volunteer Opportunities below if you’d like to help. This is a great hands-on opportunity to make a huge difference!

Uproar over the recently approved “Rodenator” sparked the media’s interest in the issue, prompting a few more calls to RMAD. Executive Director Dave Crawford appeared on Channel 9’s report and the story was picked up by CNN for national coverage.

Dave also visited Boulder’s New Vista High School to speak on the full spectrum of animal advocacy issues. Speaking to kids can be daunting, but the Denver/Boulder area is blessed with young, motivated and open-minded youth. Dave not only taught the students a great deal but also made a few new friends for the animals.

Action alert: Oppose The "Secure Fence Act of 2006," H.R. 6061!
The "Secure Fence Act of 2006," H.R. 6061, which passed the House of Representatives on September 14th and is currently being debated in the Senate, will mandate 700 miles of double layer reinforced fencing, roads, and other associated development. If this legislation passes, all wildlands from 5 miles east of Douglas, Arizona to Calexico, California will be walled off. Landscape connectivity through this area is essential for wildlife and ecological health – the effects of walling off these remote landscape connections would have devastating impacts to our natural heritage.Speak up for our wildlife!

Visit RMAD’s Alerts Page to read more about this and to get contact information for your legislators.

Thanks for reading and for staying active. Have a great Equinox!

- Chris

9.8.06

September 8, 2006
Howdy, Folks.

The last two weeks have been hectic and emotional, to say the least. On August 29, after Keep Boulder Wild’s long and arduous challenge, the Boulder City Council voted unanimously to approve the Urban Wildlife Management Plan, which will likely result in the deaths of many prairie dogs.

The first colonies to be killed will be on the ball fields at Tom Watson Park. However, it appeared that Keep Boulder Wild activists (including RMAD, The Prairie Dog Coalition, Sierra Club, and HSUS) were successful in communicating the failure of the city to maintain non-lethal control measures such as barriers and fences, and that the city should continue to work with advocates in finding ethical solutions.

We’ve been told that “passive” (non-lethal) relocation efforts will be pursued for some of the other colonies. We’ll be sure to let you know how you can help. We will continue to look for any last-minute opportunities to halt the killing, and we will respond if and when the killing starts.

A proposal to allow Colorado hunters to possess raccoons for the live training of dogs brought animal advocates out in force. A PETA phone alert directed hundreds of callers to RMAD on Wednesday. While our small staff was a little overwhelmed, it was fantastic to see such a passionate uproar that, ultimately, forced the petitioner to pull the proposal. Thanks to each and every person who called the Division of Wildlife!

RMAD has been in high demand by the media, having recently spoken to The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Denver Post, and Channel 9 News. A recent article can be seen here, in which RMAD Executive Director Dave Crawford discusses the recently approved weapon of mass wildlife destruction, the Rodenator. (We’ll be working on that, so stay tuned.)

RMAD’s Bi-Monthly Meetings have commenced. We met Thursday evening to discuss changes (all good ones!) in the RMAD organization, as well as upcoming and ongoing projects and events. This is a great chance for you to get involved and have a say, so please watch out for the next one in two months.

In the meantime, if you have any questions or comments, please email contact us!

Thanks for reading. Have a safe and peaceful weekend.
- Chris