Background: The tassel-eared, white bellied Abert’s Squirrel, a large and heavy bodied squirrel is found in the Ponderosa pine forest throughout the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Its similar but less abundant sub-species, the Kaibab Squirrel is also tassel-eared but with a dark belly and a distinctive snowy-white tail. It is found only on the Kaibab Plateau of Arizona in the Ponderosa pine forests of the Grand Canyon National Park and the northern portion of the Kaibab National Forest.
The Kaibab Plateau was declared a “wildlife preserve” early in the 20th Century under President Theodore Roosevelt, meaning that wildlife and wildlife habitat needs would have priority over other resource uses. The Kaibab Squirrel was specifically mentioned as a unique species to be protected.
The Kaibab Squirrel’s principal food is the tender bark from the terminal twigs of Ponderosa pine trees and also the succulent part of immature cones and seeds. They feed on sub-terrainian mushrooms from the forest floor and to some degree on pine needles.
Tree size and spacing are important components of the squirrel’s habitat requirements. They typically nest as high as 40 feet above the ground. If trees are too far apart the squirrel is more vulnerable to predation from raptors such as the Goshawk. Specific habitat requirements are found in the Forest Plan for the Kaibab National Forest.
Objective: As an organization, the Friends of the Kaibab Squirrel represents a membership that is interested in the squirrel’s long term survival. FKS intends to be supportive of those Federal and State agencies that are responsible for the squirrel and its habitat and to encourage them to be pro-active in redeeming those responsibilities on behalf of the squirrel. FKS has no intention of being a “pressure group” but rather a partner with the responsible agencies to assure that management decisions properly consider habitat requirements of the Kaibab Squirrel and provide for positive population trends. FKS also wishes to be partners in this effort with other groups and organizations with similar interests.
Membership: The Friends of the Kaibab Squirrel is a non-profit organization under IRS regulation 501 (C) 3. FKS has no membership dues and holds no regular meetings. Membership is open to anyone who desires to help perpetuate the Kaibab Squirrel. Business will be conducted primarily through e-mail, the web-site and face-book pages. An attractive lapel pin and a ball-cap will be available at a nominal price for interested members.
The Kaibab Plateau was declared a “wildlife preserve” early in the 20th Century under President Theodore Roosevelt, meaning that wildlife and wildlife habitat needs would have priority over other resource uses. The Kaibab Squirrel was specifically mentioned as a unique species to be protected.
The Kaibab Squirrel’s principal food is the tender bark from the terminal twigs of Ponderosa pine trees and also the succulent part of immature cones and seeds. They feed on sub-terrainian mushrooms from the forest floor and to some degree on pine needles.
Tree size and spacing are important components of the squirrel’s habitat requirements. They typically nest as high as 40 feet above the ground. If trees are too far apart the squirrel is more vulnerable to predation from raptors such as the Goshawk. Specific habitat requirements are found in the Forest Plan for the Kaibab National Forest.
Objective: As an organization, the Friends of the Kaibab Squirrel represents a membership that is interested in the squirrel’s long term survival. FKS intends to be supportive of those Federal and State agencies that are responsible for the squirrel and its habitat and to encourage them to be pro-active in redeeming those responsibilities on behalf of the squirrel. FKS has no intention of being a “pressure group” but rather a partner with the responsible agencies to assure that management decisions properly consider habitat requirements of the Kaibab Squirrel and provide for positive population trends. FKS also wishes to be partners in this effort with other groups and organizations with similar interests.
Membership: The Friends of the Kaibab Squirrel is a non-profit organization under IRS regulation 501 (C) 3. FKS has no membership dues and holds no regular meetings. Membership is open to anyone who desires to help perpetuate the Kaibab Squirrel. Business will be conducted primarily through e-mail, the web-site and face-book pages. An attractive lapel pin and a ball-cap will be available at a nominal price for interested members.