Survey of Citizen Knowledge and Perception of Black-tailed Prairie Dog Management

Survey of Citizen Knowledge

image of a diverse group of people surveyed

Recently, the black-tailed prairie dog has been receiving a significant amount of attention. Currently found in less than 2% of the area they inhabited only a century ago, the black-tailed prairie dog has been identified by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) as a candidate for listing under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). To preclude its listing, state and federal agencies, members of the public, and non-government organizations are working hard to determine the best management strategy for this small prairie dweller. "Although ESA listing decisions about a species are made on the basis of its biological status," notes Ralph Morgenweck, Regional Director of the FWS Mountain-Prairie Region, "understanding citizen knowledge and concern is essential to effective management and recovery of the species."

To obtain more information related to prairie dog management, the FWS commissioned the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in Fort Collins, Colorado, to develop and administer a survey on citizen knowledge and concerns related to the black-tailed prairie dog. Berton Lee Lamb, leader for the USGS team of social scientists that administered and analyzed the survey, describes their role by stating, "As the science agency for the Department of the Interior, we provide objective research to help federal and state policy makers and natural resource managers in their decision-making process."

The Survey

The survey, titled "Citizen Knowledge and Perception of Black-tailed Prairie Dog Management," is the most extensive survey on prairie dogs to date and represents viewpoints of rural, suburban, and urban citizens within an 11-state area, encompassing the short grass prairie region - habitat for the black-tailed prairie dog. In the summer of 2000, over 4,300 citizens were randomly chosen to receive the 20-question mail survey. Survey questions focused on general knowledge of and concerns with the black-tailed prairie dog and its management, what resources people used to gather information on the subject, and value and demographic characteristics of the respondents. The survey had a 56% response rate; 50% is typical for a survey of this type.

To assess the public's knowledge about prairie dogs and their management, respondents were asked their familiarity with terms used by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service related to prairie dog management. Results of the survey showed that more than half of respondents said they knew the meaning of some important terms such as urban sprawl, prairie ecosystem, and habitat conversion. They were much less familiar with other important terms such as diurnal and extirpated. The survey also assessed respondents' knowledge of prairie dog biology. At least half knew that the animals are active during the daytime and that they are most often killed by poison. Less than 10% knew that prairie dogs have only one litter per year.

In responding about their concerns related to prairie dog management, the survey showed that the vast majority of respondents favor a balanced management approach to preserving or developing prairie dog habitat that would consider both protection of the environment and growth of the economy. Results also showed that although most people think prairie dogs are not as important when compared to other environmental problems, they do feel disease prevention, ranch and farm practices, and habitat protection are important management concerns.

Social analysis, using surveys or other tools for gathering information on public knowledge and concern, is an integral part of wildlife management. Patricia Mehlhop, Grasslands Coordinator for the FWS Mountain-Prairie Region, states, "This information will help the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and others involved in prairie dog management to more effectively communicate with the public. In addition, it will help us to develop appropriate tools for involving the public in planning and decision-making activities impacting policies and guiding future management practices."