Water for Wildlife: A Growing Coalition
Black Bear
Earth Works Institute is enthusiastic about announcing an exciting initiative with financial support from the Partners for Wildlife program through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. We will soon schedule an informational meeting which will be facilitated by Kina Murphy, EWI’s Water and Land Health Coordinator. Local community members and natural resources professionals will be on hand for this educational workshop at the Randall Davey Audubon Center in Santa Fe. The purpose of this gathering will be to bring awareness to how we coexist with wildlife in our area, how habitat conditions can be easily improved on private and public land, and EWI’s intentions for the project funding.
Pronghorn Antelope
Fences don’t always keep out our non-domesticated furry friends, and sites where livestock is housed are attractive to wildlife because of available food and water. Oftentimes, wild animals visit a water source that is intended for larger animals like cows and horses. Unfortunately, stock tanks are not designed for a variety of animals to drink from and smaller mammals like bats and birds are susceptible to becoming trapped and drowning in the tank. Drowned animals in stock tanks are a nuisance and pollute the water, usually rendering it undrinkable.
Our goal for this project is to assist landowners with making improvements on their land that will benefit wildlife without compromising the integrity of their livestock operation. For example, small, easy to install retrofits like escape ramps on stock tanks prevent drowning deaths of animals. As part of the project, new drinkers will also possibly be installed as an extra measure for the harmonious coexistence of wildlife, ranchers, and their livestock.
Red Tailed Hawk
For more information about the upcoming workshop at the Randall Davey Audubon Center, please contact:
Kina Murphy
kina@earthworksinstitute.org
505-982-9806
