Deer are not just eating your hostas. They are munching many important native plants and killing young trees by rubbing the “velvet” off their antlers. So far, some local governments have avoided the “Bambi” issue, but as the population of white tail deer explodes, gardeners, naturalists and tree lovers seek solutions to deer destruction.
On Sunday, March 8, at 6:30 pm at Arlington Central Library, learn how deer are devastating some of our most prized natural areas from two noted local naturalists.
For more on overpopulation of deer, you might like:
https://www.citylab.com/environment/2017/08/the-deer-in-your-yard-are-here-to-stay/535938/
For how one nearby county is coping, read this:
https://forthuntherald.com/hunters-ready-for-annual-fairfax-county-deer-cull/
Here are some interesting observations of deer behavior, even if you’re not a hunter:
https://www.outdoorlife.com/articles/hunting/2015/11/10-things-you-should-learn-deer-yourbackyard/
Deer are ruminants who produce methane via enteric fermentation, and thus contribute to global warming a.k.a. climate change. (https://www.epa.gov/ghgemissions/overview-greenhouse-gases). Trees sequester CO2. Recommend harvesting the deer and planting and protecting more trees. We might also want to eliminate beef from our diet, or at least reduce our consumption, to lower the demand for cattle. Steps we can take on an individual basis to fight climate change.