Got Gophers?

The Hungry Owl Project is excited to present “Got Gophers?” an informational demonstration by Thomas Wittman of Gophers Limited. This is sure to be an educational and entertaining presentation on non-toxic pest control. Learn about the rodents and options for pest management. The "Cinch" method of surface gopher trapping that requires very little digging will be explained. See live owls which are also known as flying rodent control. Beverages and snacks will be provided. The recently released DVD “Easy Gopher Control without Poisons”, equipment, and Hungry Owl Project nest boxes will be available for sale.

Thomas Wittman is the founder of Gophers Limited; he has been involved with non-toxic pest control for over two decades. His experience ranges from pest control on his own organic farm, consulting for the University of California - specifically on gophers and ground squirrels, residential and commercial pest control, to leading interactive training sessions for UC Extension, vineyards, farms, and institutions. He holds licenses from the CA Department of Fish and Game to trap nuisance animals, a Department of Pesticide Regulation Pest Control Qualified Applicator license, and a California Pest Control Operator’s license. Gophers Limited’s mission is to reduce or eliminate the use of poisons. Wittman has a degree in Environmental Studies from UC Santa Cruz.

There is a $20 suggested donation. Funds raised benefit the Hungry Owl Project whose mission includes conservation of cavity nesting birds by providing nesting boxes for owls, bluebirds, hawks, and bats.

The Hungry Owl Project is a program of WildCare (http://www.wildcarebayarea.org ), a non-profit wildlife hospital and education center in San Rafael. The Hungry Owl Project is dedicated to the conservation of cavity nesting birds through education and by providing nesting boxes for owls, bats and bluebirds. Loss of habitat and removal of old farm buildings has caused a steady decline of Barn Owls in many parts of the United States. Seeking to prevent such losses in the Bay Area, the Hungry Owl Project educates the public about the natural pest control services Barn Owls provide. Barn Owls are voracious consumers of rodents, and without the services of beneficial predators, such as owls and hawks, rodent populations would soon be out of control. The Hungry Owl Project provides educational programs at schools, and with Marin Art & Garden Center conducts Beneficial Predators field trip programs for local schools. Partnering with school woodshop classes and scouts, the Hungry Owl Project builds nest boxes. Video cameras have been installed by the Hungry Owl Project in nest boxes at several schools in Marin for viewing by students on campus, and by the public via a web cam at http://www.hungryowl.org. The Hungry Owl Project also educates the public on the harmful effects of rodenticides (rat poison) on beneficial predators, assists WildCare in the rehabilitation of injured and orphaned birds of prey, reunites fallen raptor chicks with their natural families, and consults with farm, ranch, orchard, golf course, homeowners associations, vineyard owners and managers on the role of beneficial predators in Integrated Pest Management. Since 2002, the Hungry Owl Project has sold over 400 nesting boxes in Marin, Sonoma, and Napa counties. The program has even expanded to other parts of the state and country.