History & Accomplishments
Influencing Public Policy to Protect Wildlife
- Provided a map of urban prairie dog colonies for the Regional Plan.
- Instrumental in formation of Conservation Study Forum as a resource of scientific expertise for the planning processes of the city and the county to insure protection of northern Arizona’s greatest assests: our wildlife and open space. We have twenty- three scientists who contribute to the Study Forum, guiding the process of revising the Regional Land Use and Transportation Plan. The group is currently working with city staff and the Citizen’s Advisory Committee for the Regional Plan to draft goals and policies for the open spaces. In addition, the group is advocating for a Conservation Lands System to become part of the Regional Plan. Participated in the Working Group that provided input to Arizona Game and Fish Department on a statewide plan for the protection of Gunnison's prairie dogs that was completed in December 2007. We continue to monitor implementation of this Plan.
- Made a significant contribution to 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) by adding provisions to protect wildlife and habitat.
- In 2004, supported a petition to list Gunnison's prairie dogs under the Endangered Species Act.
- In 2001, Habitat Harmony was instrumental in promoting a seasonal hunting ban on Gunnison's prairie dogs in Arizona, protecting this vulnerable keystone species during its reproductive season.
- Our volunteers respond to email alerts by contacting representatives on important wildlife issues. We organize letter writing campaigns to inform public officials about the value of wildlife and natural spaces.
Please visit our Advocacy Section to learn more!