GONZALES — Gonzales resident and Boy Scout Davis Pisoni of Troop 73 recently partnered with the City of Gonzales to build and install 10 owl boxes at the city’s wastewater treatment facility.
The project is part of Pisoni’s Eagle Scout work and was developed in response to a rodent problem at the facility, which is located just outside Gonzales on 77 acres. The site includes several ponds that hold the city’s wastewater.
Squirrels and other rodents have been burrowing holes between the berms surrounding the ponds. The holes can allow water to escape onto neighboring property, creating a significant concern for the city.
City officials also did not want to use poison to address the problem.
Gonzales Public Works Director Octavio Hurtado and Leadworker Frank Valladarez worked with Pisoni to develop an alternative approach: building owl boxes throughout the property.
Owls are natural predators and can provide an environmentally responsible method of controlling rodents. The boxes also provide habitat where owls can establish homes.
Pisoni led fellow scouts in raising funds, purchasing supplies, designing and building the boxes, and installing 10 of them throughout the site.
“Working with the City of Gonzales has been great and I am happy that we were able to come up with an economically and environmentally friendly solution to the rodent issue at the wastewater treatment facility,” Pisoni said. “I know my project will make a positive impact on the community.”
Pisoni is currently completing the written portion of his project and hopes to become an Eagle Scout by the end of the year.
