*HARKER HEIGHTS* Urban Wildlife of Texas

CLASS ADDRESS: Harker Heights Activities Center: 400 Indian Trail, Harker Heights, TX

Class will be 1pm-5pm

This course is 4 hours of Urban Wildlife of Texas. Students will receive 4 hours DSHS CEU

Urban Wildlife of Texas: With the continuing urban expansion of most Texas cities encroaching natural habitats, human encounters with native wildlife are becoming more frequent. Many animals can adapt and even thrive in the presence of humans, which will eventually lead to nuisance complaints and possible zoonotic issues. Identifying some of the diets, behaviors and habitats of some common urban wildlife in Texas will help explain their part in the ecosystem and how to discourage their presence in residential neighborhoods.

As our primary goal is education, ACO's will learn how to guide the public toward a peaceful coexistence with wildlife and we will also examine how to make a residential area less conducive to wildlife invasion instead of adopting a "catch and kill" or "catch and relocate" mentality.

Rare, threatened and endangered species will also be discussed along with resources available for rehabilitation of wild animals.