Last May, the board of directors that oversees the historic Fairview Cemetery, less than two miles south of the Santa Fe Plaza, met with a renewed commitment to preserve this landmark as an important and accessible resource for the Santa Fe community and beyond.

In support of this mission, the all-volunteer Fairview Cemetery Preservation Association has engaged in a concerted effort to make improvements to the cemetery grounds and to sustain the character and appearance of this important treasure, a designated historic site on local, state and national registers.

In recent months, numerous projects have been completed. We have repaired and repainted the wrought-iron fence that runs along Cerrillos Road. The kiosk near the entrance, which contains the cemetery maps and burial roster, has been reroofed, repaired and restuccoed. We have begun leveling the grounds and repairing and resetting headstones where needed. While Santa Fe continues to suffer from drought conditions and restricted water usage, we have been exploring alternatives to traditional grass that would be easier to maintain and require less water.

However, all of our efforts are hampered, if not negated, by the prairie dog population, which continues to wreak havoc on burial sites, landscaping and the irrigation system. Numerous efforts have been made to rid the grounds of the prairie dogs, with only limited success.

The board has concluded the only way to deal with the prairie dogs is to keep them from migrating from the west into the cemetery grounds. Once we prevent new prairie dogs from entering the property, we hope to finally have a solution to this problem. All other efforts to improve the grounds are dependent on eliminating the prairie dogs from the cemetery.

Presently there is a 6-foot-high chain-link fence along the mostly western side of the cemetery. We are proposing to construct an approximately 900-foot-long barrier wall, digging a trench 4 feet deep to be filled with concrete. Above ground, a concrete wall approximately 3 to 4 feet high and 8 inches wide would be poured. Supports for the chain-link fence would be placed into the poured wall so the total height of the barrier would be approximately 6 or 7 feet.

After researching and considering many options, the board determined this design has the best potential for keeping out the prairie dogs, as well as being aesthetically attractive. We have arranged for a contractor and are proceeding with the preliminary steps to begin construction of the barrier, which will start in early spring. The estimated cost is $60,000.

We are calling on the Santa Fe community to join our steadfast supporters in helping us rid the cemetery of this destructive prairie dog population. Currently, approximately $18,000 has been raised. With additional financial support, the nonprofit association will continue to be able to accomplish our mission of preserving and maintaining Fairview Cemetery for generations to come.

Checks for a tax-deductible donation should be made to the FCPA Prairie Dog Barrier Fund and mailed to Fairview Cemetery Preservation Association, P.O. Box 5958, Santa Fe, N.M., 87502. Thank you in advance for your generous support.

David Mason, a native New Mexican, is a retired Navy Reserve officer and commercial airline captain. He is the president of the board of directors for the Fairview Cemetery Preservation Association.