the San Luis Valley Ecosystem councilJuly Newsletter |
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* Colorado's Keystone Species * The Gray Wolf, The Prairie Dog |
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* Tips for Avoiding Mosquitos * Curious about a topic? We want to hear from you! |
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-Celebrating Our Keystone Species- |
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Keystone species play a central role in an ecosystem’s health, structure, and function to the extent that if they were removed from a landscape, the ecosystem would be drastically altered. Keystones serve their communities in a variety of ways, often impacting both the flora and fauna, and sometimes the chemistry of an ecosystem. This month, SLVEC is celebrating two keystone species native to Colorado, the gray wolf and the prairie dog. |
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| | Wolves - Wolves support ecological equilibrium by:
- Regulating overgrazing through hunting/herding prey
- Balancing the food chain through natural predation
- Decreasing pressure from herbivores on riparian habitats
- Increasing overall biodiversity, from plants and insects to birds and mammals.
- Wolves were nearly eradicated from North America by the mid 1900s.
- They continue to be killed in inhumane ways; and in certain states, it is legal to do so.
- To attend the next open house in Alamosa regarding the Wolf Restoration Plan, Register Here
- To learn more about why this species is so critical to the North American continent, read this month's blog on gray wolves.
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| | Prairie Dogs - Prairie dogs support up to 150 other species by:
- Creating habitat for non-burrowing species
- Providing nourishment for predators such as the endangered black-footed ferret
- Aerating, mixing, and fertilizing soil
- Improving soil chemistry, and therefore grassland health
- Encouraging the presence of major grazers, such as elk and bison
- By supporting other species, plants, and the environment, prairie dogs increase biodiversity and productivity
- Due to disease, widespread extermination efforts, and habitat fragmentation, the prairie dog population has been reduced by roughly 95%
- Learn more about this incredible species and the threats that they face in this month's blog.
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-Tips for Avoiding Mosquitos- |
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The weather is perfect to explore the natural beauty that makes the San Luis Valley so incredible. The mosquitoes, however, pose a serious obstacle for some outdoor enthusiasts! SLVEC wants to encourage all our members to get out and enjoy the outdoors, so we have compiled a list of tips for avoiding the mosquitoes! |
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- Avoid outings at dawn or dusk as these are peak feeding hours for mosquitoes.
- Drain any standing water around your home that may breed mosquitoes (bird baths, flower pots, pools, fountains, etc.)
- Wear light colored clothing that reflects heat. Mosquitoes tend to be more attracted to darker colors that attract and store heat.
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- Apply oils that repel mosquitoes, including lemon eucalyptus, lavender, thyme, tea tree, and citronella.
- Wear long clothing that covers areas of thin skin, especially wrists, feet, and ankles.
- Wear loose and thick clothing. Better yet, invest in mosquito netting that covers your face.
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Don't let mosquitoes spoil your summer fun. Take some added precautions and enjoy your time outside! |
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-We Want to Hear from You- |
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Education is an important part of SLVEC's mission. Each month we report on several topics that we feel need more coverage! We encourage any of our supporters to reach out with topics that they would like to see researched and written about regarding environmental issues, ecology, wildlife, and more. Please send topic ideas to zaylah@slvec.org. Thank you so much for participating in SLVEC's work and being a concerned and curious citizen! |
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Want to Support SLVEC? Visit our donation page to see all the ways that you can support our mission of protecting and restoring the biological diversity, ecosystems, and natural resources in the Upper Rio Grande Basin. |
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For the children of today and tomorrow, San Luis Valley Ecosystem Council is committed to protecting the 3.1 million acres of public lands that surround the Valley. |
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