The history of extinction in Colorado is a cautionary tale, one that should serve as a stark reminder of the delicate balance between human actions and the natural world. As Eric Washburn, a fifth-generation Coloradan and avid hunter, points out, the state is currently facing a looming extinction crisis that mirrors the mass extinctions that have occurred throughout Earth's history.
Washburn's personal connection to the Denver Museum of Natural History, where he spent countless hours as a child gazing upon dinosaurs, underscores the emotional impact of this issue. The museum's exhibits sparked his curiosity about the forces that drive species to extinction, and he highlights the five major mass extinctions that have occurred over the past 500 million years. From the Late Ordovician to the Cretaceous-Paleogene, each extinction event was caused by a unique set of factors, from global cooling to asteroid impacts.
However, Washburn argues that the current extinction crisis in Colorado is not driven by natural phenomena, but by human actions. The state's State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP) lists 612 species that are at risk of extinction, including iconic birds, insects, mammals, amphibians, reptiles, and plants. This is a stark reminder that human activities, such as habitat destruction, pollution, and climate change, are having a profound impact on the natural world.
What makes this situation particularly concerning is the potential for widespread extinction. Children born today in Colorado may witness the disappearance of beloved species, such as the Monarch butterfly, Greater sage grouse, American Pika, and many more. The collapse of elk and deer herds due to chronic wasting disease (CWD) further underscores the severity of the crisis.
One of the key issues, according to Washburn, is the current funding model for Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW). The agency relies heavily on hunting license and park fees, which are insufficient to meet the growing needs of wildlife conservation. This model encourages large, densely populated elk and deer herds, which in turn foster the spread of CWD. As these herds decline, the revenue from hunting licenses will evaporate, creating a vicious cycle.
To address this issue, Washburn proposes a revolutionary change in the way CPW is funded and managed. He suggests that the state legislature should appropriate CPW's budget, providing significantly increased funding for a comprehensive program of biodiversity conservation and recovery. This would allow CPW to take a more proactive approach to species conservation and ecosystem health.
Washburn also calls for CPW to take on a broader role in conservation, including the successful conservation, stewardship, and recovery of all fish, wildlife, plants, insects, fungi, amphibians, and reptiles. He argues that recovering threatened and endangered species should no longer be considered a luxury but a priority, and that all wildlife management decisions should be based on peer-reviewed science and the precautionary principle.
In addition, Washburn suggests that CPW should establish an ecosystem services program, investing a minimum of $75 million to $100 million per year to pay private landowners to conserve, create, restore, and enhance habitats for SWAP-listed species. This would not only help recover threatened species but also foster a sense of shared responsibility for the natural world.
Finally, Washburn emphasizes the need for a new generation of CPW commissioners who are committed to biodiversity conservation. These commissioners should support increased investment in staff time, money, and political capital to recover rare, threatened, and endangered species, rather than protecting the current inadequate system of wildlife management.
In conclusion, the history of extinction in Colorado serves as a powerful reminder of the interconnectedness of human actions and the natural world. By embracing a more holistic approach to wildlife management and conservation, we can work towards a future where both humans and wildlife can thrive. Washburn's proposals offer a roadmap for achieving this goal, and it is up to us to heed the call and take action before it's too late.
