Friendly Wildlife Management

Living in the Front Range of Colorado is rewarding in a lot of ways – the views of the mountains, skiing, cheering for our favorite professional sports team whether it be the Broncos, Rockies, Nuggets or Avalanche.  We also have a great variety of wildlife that includes deer, elk, bear, a variety of wild birds, and cute little animals such as chipmunks, rabbits and even raccoons!  However, sometimes those adorable wildlife that we love to watch in the National Parks and as we drive along the Interstate Highways invade our yards and cause damage to our gardens, lawns, and landscape.  But………we don’t necessarily have to take drastic measures to manage wild animals in order to protect our home space.  There are many ways to deter deer, elk, rabbits, snakes, raccoons, skunks and other wildlife without causing their demise.  For example, deer and elk can be repelled by a variety of products that don’t hurt them.  Those pesky woodpeckers can be scared away with some inexpensive props that will send them back to the woods.  Even non-poisonous snakes can be trapped and released unharmed.  The number of non-lethal methods is limitless.  We love to watch wildlife, that’s one of the things we cherish about living in Colorado and we don’t have to destroy them in order to live with them.

Guest Blogger: Joe Julian
Joe Julian is the Extension Agent in Entomology/Natural Resources and Agriculture for Colorado State University in Douglas County.  Joe has worked in Douglas County for 21 years.  He has a B.A. in Sociology/Psychology, a B.S. in Animal/Plant Management and an M.S. in Entomology.  Joe has served as the Horticulturist in Douglas County as well as being the Director.  He has produced refereed journal articles in the “Journal of the Kansas Entomological Society”, the “Southwestern Entomologist”, and “Entomological News”.  More recently Joe has created and presented a professional poster on the Japanese Beetle for the 2008 “Entomological Society of America” National Meeting.  Joe has taught entomology classes regionally and statewide for CSU, Colorado Garden & Home Show, the Denver Botanic Gardens, Pro-Green, Denver Libraries, and City/County Governments.

To find out just how to live happily ever after amongst our furry and feathered friends, be sure to catch Joe’s class, Friendly Wildlife Management, on Saturday, May 28 starting at 10 a.m.