Purchased for $3.2 million in 2007, Stratton was a lush, glorious and productive hayfield. About 1/5 is now dominated by prairie dogs, where bindweed is what remains, mixed in with some curly dock, yellow alyssum and cheatgrass.
Read MoreBefore OSMP purchased the property, it used to be a productive hay pasture. Now it is barely able to be used for livestock pasture because it is mostly prairie dogs.
Read MorePer the OSMP prairie dog mapping numbers, this BVR L Pasture S has experienced 100% growth of prairie dog populations in the last two years. OSMP mapping shows 50 acres of prairie dogs on this parcel in 2017, and 112 acres of prairie dogs in 2019.
Read MoreSince the City’s 2007 acquisition of the property for over $3.5M, prairie dog occupation has increased from 10 acres to more than 70 acres, stymying efforts to use the site for a carbon farming pilot project.
Read MoreDitzel is a non-irrigated (but irrigable) OSMP staff-managed field with prairie dogs. Prairie dog occupation on Ditzel increased 200% between 1996 and 2020. The parcel is currently not leased and not irrigated.
Read MoreThe northern portion of Gallagher is currently not leased and is managed by OSMP staff. The southern portion is leased and irrigated by a local farm for sheep grazing. Prairie dogs have expanded rapidly on Gallagher, and the tenant is very concerned that their leased land will be overrun.
Read MoreOSMP performed two separate relocation attempts plus lethal control to remove prairie dogs on Nu-West North. The parcel was then key-line plowed and reseeded, and grass is finally growing again. Welded wire fence + landscape material (partially buried) keep prairie dogs and other wildlife off this parcel for now. This barrier requires constant maintenance, and animals will eventually burrow under it.
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