Aurora’s Predator Coexistence Education Project Receives Funding from Adams County Open Space

AURORA, Colo. – The Adams County Board of Commissioners and the Adams County Open Space Advisory Board has awarded Aurora’s Morrison Nature Center a $3,500 Adams County Open Space mini grant to help support predator coexistence education in Adams County and beyond.

Grant funds will augment support for two science and wildlife management education products offered by the Aurora Naturalist Program.  Some of the funds will be used to turn the award-winning “PredaTOUR” Predator Coexistence Education traveling exhibit into a permanent predator research and education exhibit at Aurora’s Morrison Nature Center, located in Adams County.

The second product will be to create at least two “Be Cool with Coyotes,” coyote education bins for use in metro area schools and other educational settings. The grant will not only support creating the coyote education bins, but will also help support training open space professionals, volunteer naturalists and classroom teachers on ways to use the bins to educate school-age children, Scouts, and community groups about coyote behavior, biology and ways to avoid negative interactions with coyotes.  These bins will be available for check out by teachers, professionals and volunteers interested in helping people of all ages better understand coyotes and how to live safely in coyote country.

“The Aurora Naturalist Program is honored to receive this essential support for our science and wildlife education efforts,” said Mary Ann Bonnell, Senior Natural Resources Specialist for Aurora’s Parks, Recreation & Open Space Department.

Since January 2009, the city of Aurora Naturalists have presented over 20 coyote coexistence programs for schools, civic groups, social clubs and homeowners associations. Research shows the most successful way to minimize negative interactions between pets, humans and coyotes is to provide quality public education. The Aurora Naturalist Program is dedicated to the goal of minimizing conflicts with and maximizing appreciation for local wildlife.

For more information on the Aurora Naturalist Program, please contact Mary Ann Bonnell, (303) 859-8911.