Gunnison’s prairie dog (Cynomys gunnisoni)—a native to the Four Corners region—is a keystone species whose burrowing and feeding habits keep prairie grasses healthy and help rainwater infiltrate deeply into the soil. Prairie dog burrows provide shelter for other species like burrowing owls, small mammals, snakes, lizards, and invertebrates. Prairie dogs are an important food source for many animals including hawks and the endangered black-footed ferret. Despite all their benefits, their burrowing and foraging can be, or perceived to be, incompatible with certain human land uses.

Habitat Harmony, Inc., with a grant from the AZGFD Heritage Fund and support from the City of Flagstaff, has produced a handbook to help those of us in Northern Arizona deal with unwanted prairie dogs in a way that does not require killing or handling of them. If you are having issues or are planning to develop land that currently is home to prairie dogs we urge you to contact us for a paper copy of the handbook or click the button below to learn more and download a digital version of the handbook.

 

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