About Grasslands Colorado
Our Mission
Grasslands Colorado is dedicated to collaborating with landowners to safeguard and maintain the endangered prairie ecosystem. Our goal is to create an enduring legacy that highlights the significance of keystone prairie species and challenges the antiquated monoculture practices of managing prairie lands. We believe landowners can coexist peacefully with nature, and we're here to demonstrate how.
Keystone Goal 2025: Saving 10 colonies from extinction
Just 1% of the habitat for Prairie Dogs is left
Prairie dogs are keystone species in the grassland of the American west. A keystone species is defined by the Oxford Dictionary of Zoology as:
A species that has a disproportionately strong influence within a particular ecosystem, such that its removal results in severe destabilization of the ecosystem and can lead to further species losses.
Simply put, keystone species are irreplaceable. While we would argue that ALL species are irreplaceable, of course, keystone species play significant affecting roles in their ecosystems, so that without them both flora and fauna suffer extreme negative consequences. Over 168 Wild species depend on Prairie Dogs for their survival. Research has shown prairie dog activities have a positive effect on soil and plants (increasing soil fertility, controlling invasive species, etc.), that their burrows provide living space and refuge to a number of animals (from spiders to burrowing owls), and that their place in the food web provides sustenance to countless predators and scavengers, such as the well-known relationship between the prairie dog and the black-footed ferret.
The Prairie Dog’s Impact on Habitat
It’s fairly obvious even at first glance that prairie dogs change the environment. Within a prairie dog town the landscape is wide open with closely clipped vegetation, while surrounding unoccupied habitat has taller grass and possibly some scattered shrubs or trees. But within that ecosystem, prairie dogs are doing some hard work to heal the land from overuse and grazing.
Tunneling essentially tills the soil, promoting nitrogen uptake by plants. The burrows allow rain water to flow down into the soil and remain in the water table. Prairie dog scat, which is sometimes seen in abundance near burrows, adds organic matter to the soil. The result is more succulent, nutritious, and digestible forage. This benefits not just prairie dogs, but also bison, pronghorn and other grass eaters.
Outdated land management techniques are being replaced with regenerative ones.
For over a century, land management policies have dictated killing both predators and prey as 'nuisance' animals to humans. New science is showing just how wrong that is. Modern regenerative land practices have demonstrated that when you have both predator and prey in a grassland ecosystem, everything will remain in check. This balance is important for both human needs and wildlife, so achieving this will be a huge step in the right direction. Prarie dogs play a part in that. The reason colonies grow and take over parcels is due to the lack of predators in the vicinity. Eagles, hawks, foxes, coyotes, snakes, even the occasional bobcat are very important in keeping prarie dog colonies in check. Our mission is to help with that balance and try to promote science-based ecosystems for livestock, wildlife, and the human landowners who oversee their properties.
Prairie Dogs: Pipsqueaks of the Prairie (U.S. National Park Service)
Black-tailed Prairie Dog | North Dakota Game and Fish
Landowners are not the villians, they're valued partners.
For landowners, the prospect of maintaining prairie dogs on their property can be overwhelming, particularly when presented with extermination as the sole solution. Our organization collaborates closely with landowners to devise innovative strategies that support both livestock and prairie dogs. The responsibility and cost for achieving this equilibrium should not rest solely on the landowner; this is where we come in with our Grasslands Ambassador Program
With just 1% area left, Prairie Dogs need to be counted
Why we need a recount on official colony numbers
Currently, CPW counts prairie dog colonies using aerial photos depicting 'holes'. Even when properly identified as a colony, these 'holes' could be deserted or former colonies that have been poisoned or otherwise killed off, and should not be counted. Only colonies with live prairie dogs should be counted.
Support Grasslands Colorado's Keystone Species Initiatives
If you want to help donate to help pay rent for a colony of prairie dogs that would otherwise be killed, that's awesome! We are currently going through the process to get 501c3 status, but until then, we'd love you to join our newsletter.