Engaged Research Grants
The Quagmire of Deer Management
Assessing impacts and public attitudes about deer populations in local municipalitie
High deer populations devastate habitats, prevent forest regeneration, endanger plants and animals and elevate the prevalence of tick-borne disease such as Lyme. However, impacts of deer on local biodiversity and human health are often poorly understood by the public and local decision makers. This team is assessing deer impacts in local municipalities, anticipating that the knowledge will influence public attitudes about deer management. Students are learning ecological and social science methods, while examining moral and ethical wildlife management and policy dimensions of the issue. Meanwhile, community partners are gaining insights into the severity of deer browse and citizen attitudes to aid in their decision-making.
Type: Impact Grant
Topics: Education; Energy, Environment and Sustainability; Food and Agriculture; Health, Nutrition and Medicine; Law, Government and Policy
The Team
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Bernd Blossey, Department of Natural Resources
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
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Todd Bittner, Cornell Botanic Gardens
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
- Cornell partner: Cornell Botanic Gardens
- Community partner: Town of Ithaca
- Community partner: Village of Cayuga Heights
- Community partner: Village of Trumansburg
- Community partner: Village of Lansing
- Community partner: City of Ithaca
Engaged Research Grants
Funding scholarship and scientific research collaborations with undergraduates and community partners.