 |
|
|
|
Photo by Shon Reed via Box 25 installed in Eagle Mountain EM Kestrel Project gets a new nest box May 5, 2018, 9:31 amAt first, this box was going to be located on private property. Fionnuala B Kofoed, the Eagle Mountain City Recorder had this to say about the selection of the site. "The Mayor mentioning to me that Shon had contacted him regarding a new location. I told the Mayor I'd take care of it. The location Shon proposed was private property. I proposed another location, City property, and had the administrator and Planning sign off on it. Brad Hickman set up Blue Stakes for the pole installation." The Eagle Mountain Kestrel Project is the brainchild of Shon Reed. He has been the driving force of the project and has been working with the different groups and volunteers to make it successful. The project is a partnership with HawkWatch International. This new box was installed by Shon Reed, Brian Smith, Zach Hyde and Kestyn Hyde. The pole was donated, as well as the use of the equipment used to install the pole. This pole was installed on property owned by Eagle Mountain City and is located close to the Ranches Golf Course. The project has had a lot of support from the last two Eagle Mountain Mayors. Mayor Pengra helped the project, including installing another box on City Property at the beginning of the project. Mayor Westmoreland has been passed the baton and has continued to support the project. When asked about the Cities plans going forward and the installation of this new box, Mayor Westmoreland made the following statement. "The Eagle Mountain kestrel project has been a great success and a model for other projects that I hope will be equally successful. The kestrel project will need continued support from the community if it is to last. I hope this effort does not stop there. I would like to see similar projects for other birds. Ultimately, boxing nests will not be enough. We need to look seriously at the resources it will take to maintain the ecosystem needed to support these animals. That means preserving open space as habitat for a variety of animals. With thorough planning and a long-range vision, I believe we can work together to preserve the needed space for wildlife habitat and outdoor recreation. As we all become active stewards of this wonderful area we can create a balance of economic growth with the preservation of the natural beauty and wonders that surround us. By working together we can ensure that Eagle Mountain will be a unique place to live for many generations to come." The City has done several things in the past few months that will help protect the Kestrel population as well as keep areas for wildlife in the city. The city has recently passed a Buffering Ordinance, Ridgeline Protection Ordinance, as well as has worked with developers to keep the utility corridor free of development in some areas of the city (Sunset Flats). The Planning Commission has also recently voted to deny a rezoning of a development along Lake Mountain Road to keep the powerline corridor free of residential buildings. If you ask most of the residents why they moved to Eagle Mountain, they will tell you it is for the open space, rural feel, and the wildlife. The Kestrel project has also installed a webcam in one of the boxes it monitors. You can see the live stream from the webcam from this page: http://i84005.com/kestrel/webcam/ The community news source for Eagle Mountain Utah, Saratoga Springs Utah, Lehi Utah, American Fork Utah, Highland Utah, Alpine Utah, and The Cedar Valley, including Cedar Fort Utah and Fairfield Utah. Copyright 2024 The Crossroads Journal LLC. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
|
