Living with Wildlife Advisory Board
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Geoffrey Burbey Hailey Hawkins Danielle Murray Gretchen Nordham Garret Peachey Emily Rickard Gary Skiba Matt Young Larry Zauberis |
CPW Wildlife Museum Located at the |
The Living with Wildlife Board (LWAB) advises the La Plata County Commissioners on methods of preventing and resolving wildlife conflicts. LWAB is your resource for questions about conflicts with wildlife in La Plata County.
LWAB recognizes that abundant wildlife adds to our quality of life while contributing to our local economy in tourist dollars. Predators such as bears, coyotes, and mountain lions are vital to maintaining healthy ecosystems. As La Plata County’s wildlife/urban interface increases so do the cost and potential for wildlife conflicts.
LWAB addresses this issue with a “WildSmart” approach that involves working pro-actively with residents and area land managers.
About the Living with Wildlife Advisory Board
The Living With Wildlife Advisory Board consists of qualified volunteers who serve in an advisory role for the La Plata County Commissioners on issues involving wildlife in La Plata County. The goal of the LWAB is to reduce conflict between wildlife and residents of La Plata County.
LWAB works proactively with land-owners and local and state authorities to:
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Host wildlife information lectures
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Distribute useful information regarding living with wildlife
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Develop and coordinate educational programs to assist community members with living with wildlife on their property safely and appropriately
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Provide "Living Wild Smart" information via the La Plata County's website
Be Wild Smart
Avoid Close Encounters with Wildlife:
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Never feed wildlife – feeding deer, elk, or bears is illegal.
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Prevent dogs from roaming
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Keep pet food and feeding indoors
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Hang bird feeders in areas inaccessible to bears, deer, and raccoons
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Close openings under foundations, patios
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Store garbage in wildlife-resistant containers
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Set out garbage cans on the morning of collection
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Keep barbecue grills clean or in an enclosed area
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Clear excess brush from landscape close to home
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Landscape defensively using plants animals avoid and/or fencing
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Report bear sightings, non-trash bear incidents, and trash accessed by bears to the
La Plata County Bear Hotline at 970-247-BEAR (2327)
Avoid Wildlife Collisions on the Highways:
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Slow Down to increase your reaction time.
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Scan Ahead and watch for movement along roadsides.
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Brake. Don't Swerve.
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Be ready for animals to change direction.
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For more information click on Driving and Wildlife.
More Information about Wildlife:
The Colorado Parks & Wildlife website has a great deal of additional information about living with wildlife.
Habitat Partnership Program (HPP) was designed by the Colorado Wildlife Commission and Colorado State Legislature to help reduce wildlife conflicts with agriculture and to assist the Division of Wildlife to meet game management objectives on both public and private lands. HPP develops partnerships between landowners, land managers, sportsmen, the public, and the DOW to resolve those conflicts.
Click for quick useful links to other Wildlife Resources about a variety of wildlife species that may be encountered in La Plata County.
LWAB member Don Bruning published an informative article in the Durango Herald (October 15, 2014) on The Unintended Consequences of Lead Bullets. Donald Bruning is a retired curator for the Wildlife Conservation Society and a member of the La Plata County Living with Wildlife Advisory Board.
Contact Information
For information about the Living with Wildlife Board, please call 970-382-6219.