Darnestown Deer Fence Project
A Citizen Science Experiment
Conducted by the
Darnestown Civic Association
Since 2010
April 1989
May 1991
June 2018
Where Did They Go?
Who Done It?
Invasive Plants Unpalatable to Deer
Multiflora Rose
Barberry
Japanese Stilt Grass
Multiflora Rose
The Concerns of Deer Overpopulation
Lyme disease
Property losses
Potential complete loss of the forests
The Questions
How would the forest respond without deer?
Can it recover or are the changes permanent?
Are invasives here to stay?
The Experiment
Locations
“Haddonfield Site” on high ground
“Creek Site” in the Seneca Creek flood plain
Locations
“Creek Site” in the Seneca Creek flood plain
“Haddonfield Site” on high ground
Construction – Nov 2010 to March 2011
Ongoing Inspection and Maintenance
Ongoing Inspection and Maintenance
Results after 1 Year
Results after 1 Year
After 3 Years
After 3 Years
After 3 Years
After 3 Years
After 3 Years
After 3 Years
After 3 Years
After �3 Years
After �3 Years
After 6 Years
After 6 Years
After 7 Years
The Answers So Far
How would the forest respond without deer?
Fast-growing “weed” vines and understory flourish alongside hardwood saplings. But it’s early.
Multiflora rose is growing rapidly inside the lowland “creek” site – apparently deer do help restrain it.
The Answers So Far
Can the forest recover or are the changes permanent?
Signs are positive for preservation of hardwood forest…
IF deer population is managed.
The Answers So Far
Are invasives here to stay?
Recovering Vegetation
Hardwoods: White oak, red oak, tulip poplar, hickory, maple
Understory: Ironwood, dogwood, shadbush, mountain laurel, sassafras, others not yet identified
Conifers: “Cedar” (juniper)
Ground cover perennials: Pokeweed, ground ivy, Indian strawberry, raspberry, many others not yet identified.
Stilt grass appears to be suppressed when there is competition from other vegetation!
How Do We Use the Results?
Darnestown Civic Association Contacts:
Our Plans
Maintain and monitor indefinitely
Share what we are learning