About Us
Colorado Prairie Dog Squad's mission is to conserve the North American prairie ecosystem through the appreciation, conservation, and informed management of prairie dogs.
Why the Prairie?
​
The conservation of the North American prairie is vital.
Grasslands are considered one of the most imperiled biomes around the world. Indeed, less than 5% of grassland ecosystems are protected globally (White, Murray, & Rohweder, 2000). These grasslands have become degraded over time due to the spread of invasive species, the suppression of natural fire, intensive livestock grazing and agricultural production, and habitat fragmentation or destruction due to urbanization (Martinez-Estevez et al., 2013).
Grasslands must also be protected because of the vital ecosystem services they provide, including promoting biodiversity, carbon sequestration, flood control, fertile soil, and medicinal plants, as well as for its historical and cultural significance (Comis, Becket & Stelljes, 2001; Martinez-Estevez et al., 2013; Hendrickson, Johnson, Liebig, Sedivec, & Halvorson, 2016).
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
Squad Goals:
​
The Goals of the Colorado Prairie Dog Squad are as follows...
​
​1. Collect high-quality prairie dog abundance and habitat data through reliable citizen scientists.
-
COPDS collects reliable data through iNaturalist observations. You can read more about the data we collect here.
-
A few of our research questions include:
-
To what extent are urban prairie dog populations functioning as ​keystone species?
-
Are prairie dogs increasing or decreasing the presence of invasive species?
-
In what habitat conditions are prairie dogs thriving and perishing?
-
Are prairie dogs faring better in cities/counties that have implemented prairie dog management plans?
-
2. Provide managers with the information necessary to make conservation decisions that maximize the biodiversity potential of Colorado's prairies.
-
COPDS is partnered with prairie dog management agencies and all of its data is available for free via the iNaturalist project Colorado Prairie Dog Squad. ​
​​
3. Inspire stewardship of Colorado's prairies through science and understanding.
-
COPDS prides itself in the factual, scientifically-based ​information it provides the public on prairie dog ecology, management, and conservation. Read more about prairie dog ecology and management.
​
​
The Colorado Prairie Dog Squad is a scientific organization. It does not support, promote, or participate in any specific political agenda or activism (legislature, taxes, public figures, protests, harassment, etc).
