Utah Prairie Dog Habitat Evaluation Guide

The Utah prairie dog (Cynomys parvidens) (UPD) is listed as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and exists only in southwestern Utah. UPD numbers and range have declined dramatically since settlement of Utah because of conversion of rangeland to cropland, urban development, fire suppression, improper grazing, drought, and introduced sylvatic plague (Yersina pestis). As of this writing, approximately 75% of all Utah prairie dogs inhabit private lands. This fact highlights the need to encourage farmers and ranchers to manage UPD habitat on their property in order to move the species closer to recovery. This guide provides technical information to assist biologists, land managers, and others in evaluating current and potential prairie dog habitat. Please refer to the Utah Prairie Dog Habitat Evaluation and Management Guide, of which this guide is a part, for more information on how to develop habitat restoration and improvement projects beneficial to the species