WINTER 2006
T h e L e a fle t Newsbrief of W i l l i s t o wn C o n s er v a ti o n T r u s t
Oh Deer!
There Are Too Many
T he mass of preserved land in the Willistown area (6,000 acres and growing!) provides the Willistown Conservation Trust with a unique opportunity to promote good land management practices throughout our countryside. In that regard, the overabundance of white-tailed deer in the Trust program area is the greatest management challenge we have. The excessive number of deer threatens the natural resources, human health and quality of life in our community in the following ways: 1) Too many deer destroy native wildflowers, tree seedlings, woodland understory vegetation and other habitat upon which birds and other wildlife depend for both food and shelter; 2) Too many deer destroy millions of dollars worth of residential landscaping each year; 3) Too many deer cause extensive damage to farm crops; 4) Too many deer are responsible for the growing proliferation of deer fences; 5) Too many deer cause the spread of Lyme disease in humans and other animals; and 6) Too many deer are the cause of numerous automobile accidents.
Recognizing the urgent need for a solution to the deer dilemma, the Trust has committed to create and implement a deer management program that will ultimately bring the local deer herd back into balance with the natural resources of our area. To this end we will be consulting with a number of partners including our colleagues at Audubon Pennsylvania; natural resource specialists; township, county and state officials; and other land trusts. Specific strategies will include: (1) identifying and mapping a deer management focal area; (2) contacting landowners within the focal area to register with our program; (3) communicating with landowners and hunters within the focal area as to the need to increase the pace of deer management; and (4) working with landowners and hunters to implement and monitor a plan to reduce the herd using traditional hunting methods. We realize that bringing the local deer population back into balance with nature will not be easy nor will it happen overnight, but we believe that, with the help and support of the remarkable Willistown community, it can be done. We encourage your questions and comments and will keep you apprised as the deer management program is refined.
Land Stewardship...What is Important to You?
A flurry of October activities provided
the opportunity to celebrate and care for some of our recently protected land and community members came out in droves to support us. The Owl Prowl, a nighttime exploration of the Kirkwood Preserve, took a cadre of inquisitive children and adults to look for owls and other noctural wildlife. This educational offering for young children enjoyed great success. The following day volunteers planted native trees along the stream banks of Crum Creek at Kirkwood Preserve, the beginnings of a riparian restoration project
on this special waterway. On the same day, volunteers installed landscaping at our new offices at 925 Providence Road, consisting entirely of plants native to the mid-Atlantic United States. Earlier in the month, we had a tag-team of volunteers (continued on next page)
In late October, Trustee Tony Hitschler, along with a group of thirteen hard-working volunteers, planted native trees along the Crum Creek at Kirkwood Preserve. The stream bank restoration project was funded by a generous donation from Broadacres Trouting Association, made in memory of Charles R. Meyers.
T h e L e a fl e t is an interim publication to supplement our annual newsletter, The Sycamore. Through The Leaflet, the WCT staff brings you interesting and timely information about Willistown Conservation Trust activities, stewardship news and upcoming events.