Wildlife Management

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Johnson County is a rapidly developing suburban county with an urban/rural interface. The presence of wildlife sometimes conflicts with human land use and activities. JCPRD park sites and streamway trails are critical green spaces for wildlife. Balancing the health of park ecosystems with wildlife populations is particularly challenging. 

JCPRD staff are responsible for maintaining healthy wildlife populations through habitat management, nuisance control, and ongoing monitoring.

Nuisance Control

JCPRD is committed to maintaining viable populations of all native Kansas wildlife. Unfortunately wildlife may occasionally cause conflicts. Those conflicts may be property damage, human injuries or illness caused by wildlife related diseases or ecological changes caused by animal overabundance. There is no single or simple remedy that can be relied on to resolve all types of wildlife damage. Park managers refer to the district's Nuisance Wildlife Guidelines (PDF) to assist in decision making.

Monitoring & Research

Staff work with universities, contractors, volunteers and state biologists to monitor populations of amphibians, fish, reptiles, mammals and birds throughout the district. Deer surveys conducted by staff in the fall guide the deer management plan at Shawnee Mission Park and other outlying future park sites. 

Ongoing creel surveys assist staff with setting fishing limits. Volunteers provide invaluable research on bluebird breeding populations and migratory birds. A JCPRD permit is required for any research or collection activities. Additional state and federal permits may be required. Contact Matt Garrett, JCPRD biologist, at 913-826-3440 for more information.