Transcript Urban Wildlife Management Plan - Utah 4-H

Urban Wildlife Management Plan
 Students learn how to evaluate, improve or
create small areas of wildlife habitat for
selected species which may live near areas
of human development.
Why This Event Is Of Value
 Students learn that although many people
live in or near urban development they can
still enjoy backyard wildlife.
 Loss of habitat threatens many species.
 They learn that urban wildlife have the
same basic habitat needs.
 Participants “get a taste” of landscape
design with an emphasis on preserving
habitat for wildlife.
Urban Areas to Evaluate
 Urban landscapes include seven categories.
– 1. Urban forests
– 2. Corridors
– 3. Neighborhood parks, school grounds, and
golf courses
– 4. Vacant land and open areas
– 5. Residential homes
– 6. Apartment and business lots
– 7. Inner city
Urban Wildlife Species
 The species to be considered will be
selected from a list of 16 animals, which
are adapted and can survive near human
development.
 Robins, Butterflies, Cottontails, Fox
Squirrels, Frogs, House Finches, House
Sparrows, House Wrens, Hummingbirds,
Common Nighthawks, Flickers, Raccoons,
Pigeons, Sparrows, Starlings, & Bluebirds
Urban WMP’s - Event
 Wildlife Management Map (10 points)
– Draw a diagram of the site showing wildlife
habitat and landscape features.
 Wildlife Management Plan (20 points)
– Write a one page management plan to explain
your habitat recommendations.
 Team event - all 4 team members work
together
 Time- 1 hour to complete
Materials Provided
 Project site with well-marked boundaries
 Field Condition Sheet
– Landowner Objectives
– Target species
– Sketch of site showing existing features
– Scale of sketch map
– Special considerations (cats, children, etc.)
 Tools: colored pencils, grid paper, symbol
diagram, paper
Urban Habitat Needs
 Food
– target species, seasonal availability, natural vs.
artificial, hazards
 Water
– location, depth, aquatic plants
 Shelter
– nesting, resting, hiding and predator protection
 Corridors
– travel and safety
 Artificial feeders
Urban Practices
 Brush piles
 Corridors
 Nesting boxes
 Plant food plots
 Plant mast trees
 Pond construction
 Water control structure
 Wildlife damage management
Additional Urban-Only Practices
 Do not disturb nesting areas
 Plant flowers
 Rooftop / balcony gardens
 Use pesticide carefully
Example From 99 National Event
 Area: Park surrounding the Student Center
on the Kansas State Univ. campus.
 Objectives:
– The manager of the Center is a member of the
Audubon Society and would like to see more
Northern flickers and House wrens on the
grounds.
– The President of KSU is a mammalogist and
would like to provide habitat for cottontails,
fox squirrels, and raccoons.
Example (continued)
 Special Considerations
– The stream has a tendency to dry up during hot
summers.
– The starling population has been increasing
during the last five years.
– The Center wishes to maintain a visuallypleasing landscape while promoting wildlife.
The Makings Of A Good Plan
– Restate the management objectives.
– Identify the target species.
– Determine which practices benefit each species.
CONTINUED
– Make an assessment of the current condition of
the site.
– Justify why you did or did not change existing
vegetation.
– Discuss conflicts and compromises.
– How will you evaluate your success.
Things to Consider
 Aesthetics : Does it make an attractive landscape?
 Arrangement: Is the food near cover, etc.
 Vertical habitat layers: grass, shrubs, trees
 Access and human traffic: trails, fences, etc.
 Timing: growth of vegetation, blooming or
fruiting season
 Plant characteristics: deciduous/ evergreen,
annual/ perennial
Training the Team
 First must memorize the Urban Chart
 Organize a pattern or system for plan development
 Practice writing using correct terminology
 Writing and drawing should be neat and legible
 Practice on a variety of urban site
 Learn to work as a team and respect others
opinions
Everyone has an opinion…..
 “Why did the chicken cross the road?”
– Captain Kirk: To boldly go where no chicken
has gone before.
– Einstein: It’s relative, the road actually moved
under the chicken.
– Darwin: Over great periods of time, chickens
have been naturally selected to do this.
– Cowboy: To prove to the armadillo that it could
be done!
– Colonel Sanders: Golly, I missed one!