The mission of the Regional Urban Wildlife Symposium is to provide an educational gathering, about human interaction with the wildlife of the Central Arizona Highlands, which will be both informative and entertaining.
The Central Arizona Highlands are characterized by a unique landscape that supports diverse populations of wildlife and vegetation intermixed with burgeoning rural communities, towns and cities. This region will continue to grow as increasing numbers of people desire to live in this treasured landscape. The Highlands are rich with history, culture and natural beauty that beckon many to call this area home. One of the area’s most valued treasures is its wildlife. Opportunities such as bird watching in one’s back yard or spotting Pronghorn grazing in the grasslands add joy to the experience of living in Central Arizona.
Wildlife can provide aesthetic, recreational and economic benefits to communities. Some opportunistic wildlife may also create conflicts and challenges for homeowners. Learning how to live peaceably with wild neighbors is an issue that must be examined individually as well as in the community at large.
There are specific ways people can manage their personal property for the mutual benefit of themselves and resident wildlife. Education will help people make informed choices with decisions such as the most suitable type of landscaping and fencing to use around their home as well as the best way to care for and manage pets in the presence of wild animals.
On a larger scale, we must collectively acknowledge that in order to
maintain healthy wildlife populations it is necessary to protect and
preserve their habitat.
To effectively address this goal will require
regional communication and cooperation, vision, and an investment in long
range planning.
Future development should consider animal migration
corridors, habitat connectivity, and wildlife access to quality riparian
habitat.
The second Regional Urban Wildlife Symposium will provide the public with an opportunity to increase their understanding and appreciation of native fauna as well as to learn ways to live compatibly with them. The Symposium will also help the public become aware that wildlife is an asset to communities and that in order to preserve this part of our heritage we must actively plan and develop our communities while considering the current and future needs of wildlife. As controversies and challenges are discussed, possible solutions for managing and maintaining local wildlife populations will also be explored.
We plan to capture and summarize the information brought forth through the Symposium in order to create educational material that will benefit current and future residents as well as community planners in this region. It is our great hope that the public knowledge acquired from this symposium will contribute to the preservation of Arizona’s natural wildlife heritage.