Working for Watchable Wildlife

• Trails with interpretive signs
• Blinds suitable for nature photography
• Guided walking tours
• Remote viewing cameras
• Education center

Habitat Harmony has worked with Northern Arizona University (“N.A.U.”) and Dr. Con Slobodchikoff to install a nature trail with interpretive signs through the prairie dog colony just west of the Coconino County Humane Society in 2000-2001, funded by a Heritage Fund Grant.  This is the site that we propose for Flagstaff’s first prairie watchable wildlife site featuring the prairie ecosystem of northern Arizona.  Prairie dogs are ideal for watching because they are social animals whose antics are entertaining.   Gunnison’s prairie dogs have been noted for their frequent and diverse vocalizations.   They are active during the day and much of their activity is above ground.  Many other species are present at the proposed site, including coyotes, foxes, red-tailed hawks, golden eagles, ravens, weasels, skunks, golden mantled ground squirrels, spotted ground squirrels, rock squirrels, mule deer, elk, an occasional badger and a number of arthropod species.

The area adjacent to the Coconino County Humane Society is well suited for watching wildlife.  It is within the city limits on the Flagstaff Urban Trail and close to Foxglen Park, which draws many residents to the area.  It has an Open Space monument marker.   The area is undeveloped, except for a walking path and interpretive signs portraying the lives of prairie dogs (their social system, territories, burrows, basic behavior) and also a few of their predators, as well as some of the animals that use the plants at prairie dog towns for forage, such as pronghorn antelope.

This project would be Flagstaff’s first prairie ecosystem watchable wildlife site.  It would provide recreational and educational opportunities that highlight the unique wildlife and terrain of the area, for Flagstaff residents as well as visitors.  It could serve as a tourist attraction and possibly generate money for our community.  Science would also benefit from an urban area that is preserved as habitat for local plant and animal species.  This site is where Dr. Con Slobodchikoff conducted some of his groundbreaking research on the communication skills of Gunnison’s prairie dogs and it could serve both N.A.U. and the greater community as a site for future scientific research.

Habitat Harmony plans to meet in November with representatives from the City of Flagstaff, Open Spaces Commission, Parks and Recreation, Arizona Game and Fish Department, Northern Arizona University and Willow Bend Environmental Education Center to discuss the possibility of pursuing this project which is now in the conceptual stage.  We would like to see this project move from a concept to a reality.

We want future generations to have the opportunity to observe wildlife in its native setting–
an opportunity we so often take for granted!

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Public Policy Advocacy
Wildlife Reference Guide
Study Group for Wildlife and Open Spaces