The city of Des Moines announced on Tuesday a geese management plan to address the growing concerns over the birds’ interactions with humans. The city says safety concerns in parks, on municipal golf courses, recreation trails and stormwater retention prompted the decision. It’s the first time such a plan has been implemented in Des Moines. “Des Moines contains many environments that attract Canada geese, and their presence overlaps with human activities that can lead to unwanted interactions,” said Parks Manager Mike Gaul. “The geese pose a safety concern particularly now during nesting season, but our park visitors must also contend with the mess the geese leave behind.”The Parks and Recreation Department collaborated with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources to create the management plan, which went into effect this spring. Gaul says the plan includes an end to recreational feeding, modifying habitat and aversive conditioning, so geese become less habituated and prefer areas with fewer people.“Our number one goal is to address in a humane manner the growing concerns over geese interactions and to reduce the human-goose conflicts that exist in parks and public areas,” Gaul added.More news:
The city of Des Moines announced on Tuesday a geese management plan to address the growing concerns over the birds’ interactions with humans.
The city says safety concerns in parks, on municipal golf courses, recreation trails and stormwater retention prompted the decision.
It’s the first time such a plan has been implemented in Des Moines.
“Des Moines contains many environments that attract Canada geese, and their presence overlaps with human activities that can lead to unwanted interactions,” said Parks Manager Mike Gaul. “The geese pose a safety concern particularly now during nesting season, but our park visitors must also contend with the mess the geese leave behind.”
The Parks and Recreation Department collaborated with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources to create the management plan, which went into effect this spring.
Gaul says the plan includes an end to recreational feeding, modifying habitat and aversive conditioning, so geese become less habituated and prefer areas with fewer people.
“Our number one goal is to address in a humane manner the growing concerns over geese interactions and to reduce the human-goose conflicts that exist in parks and public areas,” Gaul added.
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