WHY IS KNC CLOSED TODAY?
The Kalamazoo Nature Center is closed for annual deer management activities.
WHY DOES KNC MANAGE DEER ON THE PROPERTY?
In the 60+ years that KNC has been operating, we have witnessed how increased deer habitat and low pressure from natural predators have led to local deer populations well beyond what is recommended by wildlife management experts. This overabundance not only can lead to extinctions of native plants and destruction of habitat for other wildlife, but also is a detriment
to deer health, as they more easily spread disease and often die of starvation. By managing the deer population, we are reconnecting ourselves to the local ecology and encouraging better health for the deer and the land.
IS THIS COMMON FOR CONSERVATION ORGANIZATIONS?
While we recognize that many of our neighbors, members, and visitors may have different personal feelings, our approach is rooted in a deep conservation ethic and scientific rationale
that is shared by many other conservation and land stewardship organizations.