Intervention Program underway

A rite of spring in Bella Vista for close to a decade is the annual Goose Reproduction Intervention Program. Although he can always use more volunteers, lakes and parks superintendent Rick Echols said this year’s program is already underway.

Canada geese were once an endangered species and are still federally protected. Migratory geese that stop in Bella Vista are not the problem. GRIP is a way to control the resident geese population.

A large population of resident geese leaves behind waste that can be both unattractive and sometimes a health hazard. Since 2010, the POA has been limiting the population of resident geese by limiting reproduction.

Volunteers search for nests next to lakes and creeks. When they find one, they find a way to move the goose off the nest and then spray the eggs with vegetable oil. The eggs don’t develop, but the mother goose doesn’t know that and will sit on the nest until the end of nesting season. If the volunteers destroy the eggs or the nest, the goose may move to a new area and lay more eggs.

Echols said the number of geese is definitely declining, which makes the nests harder to find. He believes the geese have begun nesting already, but April is the big month for the GRIP program.

Last year, the geese nested very early, GRIP coordinator Kevin Attleson said. Some geese were through nesting before the program really got underway. But with the cold weather this year, he doesn’t think that will happen again.

There aren’t very many volunteers assigned to the golf courses, he said, so he’s counting on golfers to report nests if they see them on the course.

He keeps track of the numbers of eggs and goslings and the locations of nests. Every year has seen a decrease in numbers, he said.

Bella Vista volunteers also take care of Lake Bella Vista, with permission from Bentonville Parks and Recreation Department, Echols said. But there are always more geese moving up from Bentonville.

To volunteer for the GRIP program or to report a nest, call Attleson at 913-485-1011.

Lynn Atkins/The Weekly Vista When geese pair up in the spring, like these two on Lake Bella Vista, it’s a sign that nesting season is beginning and volunteers get to work. For almost 10 years, a program manned by volunteers has successfully limited the number of resident Canada...