As LNS Consulting Services principal, Lu Ann Sidney provides knowledgeable resources in areas of organic and polymer chemistry such as thin-film coatings and radiation chemistry. Conservation focused, Lu Ann Sidney is active with the Humane Society of the United States’ Prairie Dog Coalition, which is striving to preserve a foundational Midwestern species on which at least nine other types of animals rely on for shelter or food.
As reported in the Lincoln Journal Star, the easternmost prairie dog colony in Nebraska was recently under threat, as a 320 acre Doane University prairie research site donated by alumni was sold to local farmers seeking to expand operations. Fortunately, a coalition emerged that included Nebraska Wildlife Rehabilitation and the Prairie Dog Coalition, and which benefited from $20,000 in Doane University funding.
A live trapping operation was begun, but with prairie dogs wary of sweet oat-baited steel traps, a gradual process of acclimating the population to the traps before activating them was undertaken. Approximately three-fourths of the colony, or 220 prairie dogs, were successfully captured and moved to the 15-acre Hutton Niobrara Wildlife Ranch Sanctuary. While the Rock County land is sandy, it had been successfully recolonized by prairie dogs before, and participants in the effort are confident of their success in saving the newly moved colony.
As reported in the Lincoln Journal Star, the easternmost prairie dog colony in Nebraska was recently under threat, as a 320 acre Doane University prairie research site donated by alumni was sold to local farmers seeking to expand operations. Fortunately, a coalition emerged that included Nebraska Wildlife Rehabilitation and the Prairie Dog Coalition, and which benefited from $20,000 in Doane University funding.
A live trapping operation was begun, but with prairie dogs wary of sweet oat-baited steel traps, a gradual process of acclimating the population to the traps before activating them was undertaken. Approximately three-fourths of the colony, or 220 prairie dogs, were successfully captured and moved to the 15-acre Hutton Niobrara Wildlife Ranch Sanctuary. While the Rock County land is sandy, it had been successfully recolonized by prairie dogs before, and participants in the effort are confident of their success in saving the newly moved colony.
