They’re B-a-a-a-ck!
Actually, they never left. Not the geese, but the Save the Geese volunteers. The group is pleased to announce that they will be putting into action a multi-faceted plan in the coming weeks. This plan will keep the goose population that likes to visit Collins Park manageable. The group has kept busy over the winter months coordinating efforts with village officials to keep the number of geese using the park down and to limit the population growth this year. “This year we are better organized and have more resources to help the village keep the park free of goose droppings” says Laura Brown, spokeswoman for the group. “We have more volunteers, a trained dog, and boats - all at no cost to the village.
Due to complaints of too much goose guano, village officials planned last year to round up the geese visiting Collins Park and exterminate them. Despite a huge public outcry and pleas from the community, the village mayor and board remained steadfast in their decision. Save the Geese, a grassroots organization was quickly formed and began chasing the geese away, thwarting the extermination plan.
The volunteers demonstrated through diligent efforts last year that hazing does work, the number of geese was kept below the acceptable level. This year, those efforts will be even more of a success because the group has enlisted the services of a trained border collie to assist with hazing. Border Collies have shown to be particularly effective at hazing geese due to their natural herding instinct.
Save the Geese will be also be providing volunteers to help Park Supervisor Jim Marx with population stabilization by “egg oiling”, a process that prevents eggs from maturing and hatching. With the additional manpower, more eggs will be prevented from hatching, limiting population growth.
The group feels that with such major strides accomplished within such a short time, that success is inevitable. “Last year we started late and the park was clean for all major events”, states spokesperson David Goldschmidt. “This year we are starting early, including other facets and including village and airport officials in the process”.
For more information on how you can help keep Collins Park clean, visit: www.savethegeese.com.