Project Summary:

The NAU Gartersnake Research Facility is undergoing critical infrastructure upgrades to enhance the sustainability of its captive husbandry program for federally threatened Narrow-headed Gartersnakes. Managed by the School of Earth and Sustainability and co-operated by dedicated student interns, the initiative centers on constructing two new mini-vivaria and rehabilitating existing semi-outdoor enclosures. These highly specialized habitats replicate a semi-natural environment, integrating built-in fish populations that allow the snakes to cohabitate directly with their food source. This innovative design eliminates the need for separate feeding tanks, thereby conserving over a thousand gallons of water annually and drastically reducing the ongoing consumption of single-use nitrile gloves and paper bedding. Furthermore, the facility improvements resolve significant structural water leaks and minimize the frequency of cross-campus trips for reverse osmosis water, effectively cutting greenhouse gas emissions by an estimated 56 pounds per year. Beyond the immediate ecological and operational savings, the enhancements reduce handling stress on the animals and streamline student labor. To amplify community impact, the team is launching a robust public outreach campaign featuring educational booths at regional environmental festivals and dynamic social media engagement, cultivating broader awareness around native species conservation and sustainable research practices.

Project Lead:

Karina Cocks

Project Advisor:

Erika Nowak

Date:

2020-05-26

Funding Amount:

$20,370.00

Department:

School of Earth and Sustainability

Supporting Documents