Bush Prairie Farm a gopher's paradise

It is fantastic news and a testament to the success of the Endangered Species Act that Bush Prairie Farm will remain intact and not be destroyed by development (“Good news for gophers: ‘It’s now a farm and will stay that way forever,’” Aug. 28).

Kathleen and Mark Clark are model small farmers. Not only does the couple operate their property as a community supported agriculture farm that provides locally grown produce for neighbors, they actually utilize planting techniques that prevent damage from resident endangered Mazama pocket gophers. Especially effective is growing extra plants that the gophers can take with little impact to the couple’s bottom line.

The Mazama pocket gopher was protected under the Endangered Species Act in 2014. And it is this protection that spurred efforts to obtain a conservation easement that ensures the area stays a farm that provides habitat for the gopher and allows the Clark’s to keep farming.

The stocky rodents serve an important role aerating soils and stimulating plant growth, which helps maintain species richness and diversity in the precious small pieces of native Puget prairie we have left.

The Clarks should be celebrated for embracing sustainability. I only hope more farmers large and small will follow their lead.

This story was originally published September 22, 2017 at 3:32 PM with the headline "Bush Prairie Farm a gopher's paradise."