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Habitat Harmony was formed after its founders successfully relocated over 150 Gunnison's prairie dogs in 2000 from a colony occupying a future soccer field at Foxglenn Park in Flagstaff, Arizona. This was the first known relocation of Gunnison's prairie dogs in northern Arizona. As a result of numerous subsequent requests for relocation assistance, the founding group became aware of the need to formally organize themselves, incorporating as an Arizona nonprofit corporation and obtaining federal tax exempt status in 2000. That same year Habitat Harmony relocated a colony of prairie dogs from Doney Park, just east of Flagstaff. In 2003 we relocated 299 prairie dogs from the Flagstaff Mall expansion site. In 2005 we relocated 20 prairie dogs from 4 different sites around Flagstaff, using the sudsing method instead of trapping. This relocation project was preceded by extensive research on the sudsing method, and training from an experienced relocator from Colorado. Habitat Harmony has assisted with the humane management of the prairie dogs at Elden Hills Golf Course and the Continental Sports Complex in Flagstaff, and has consulted with Christensen Elementary School on the management of prairie dogs. We have also assisted the Museum of Northern Arizona with the humane management of its prairie dogs. A significant accomplishment has been the requirement of the Coconino County Planning and Zoning Commission for the developer of the Slayton Ranch development in Doney Park, to consult with Habitat Harmony about a prairie dog colony on a site to be developed. We worked with the county to develop wildlife disclosure statements to be distributed to home owners in new developments in Coconino County. Just as important as the relocation work, are Habitat Harmony's efforts to influence public policy concerning prairie dogs and other grasslands species. We made a significant contribution to the revision of the Flagstaff Regional Land Use and Transportation Plan (a twenty year planning document prepared cooperatively by the City of Flagstaff and Coconino County, affecting limitations on urban sprawl and preservation of open space.) In 2001, Habitat Harmony was instrumental in promoting a seasonal hunting ban on Gunnison's prairie dogs in Arizona, protecting this vulnerable species during its reproductive season. In 2004, we supported a petition to list Gunnison's prairie dogs under the Endangered Species Act. Habitat Harmony has been a part of the working group providing input to Arizona Game and Fish Department on a statewide plan for the protection of Gunnison's prairie dogs that was finalized in 2007. Habitat Harmony's educational program on the prairie ecosystem of northern Arizona has been used in the "Kid's Care Camps" at Second Chance Animal Shelter and is being modeled for the prairie dog summer camps to be held at the Museum of Northern Arizona. The education director at Second Chance Center for Animals is carrying our program to the reservations around Flagstaff. We have given adult educational presentations to Con Slobodchikoff's biology class at N.A.U. and to the Wildlife Society. We have created an educational display box that was used in the entrance to the Flagstaff Public Library, featuring a grasslands ecosystem. Habitat Harmony volunteers have worked with a private landowner removing noxious weeds, and have assisted Arizona Department of Game and Fish with monitoring the local squirrel population. Additionally, we have participated in yearly local wildlife fairs and our educational brochure, "Our Prairie Dog Neighbors,' completed in 2004 with the cooperation of Northern Arizona University, is being distributed statewide.
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