Originally shared on August 17, 2012
Students are making a difference in making our community more environmentally sustainable. During Spring 2012, students in the ENSP 4349, Deer Management at Wild Basin course, conducted field research at the Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve to try and better understand the impact of the high populations of White Tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in Central Texas. Research projects included both social science and natural science topics, including examining impacts on soil compaction, plant species diversity and economic analysis of different management alternatives.
Students presented their findings at a research symposium on campus during the 2012 Earth Week as well as to the Northwest Austin Civic Association, an area which has one of the highest deer population densities in the region. A selection of the posters is currently on display at the Wild Basin Visitor’s Center. This course will continue each year, allowing students to gain field research experience as well as providing a source of long term data for Wild Basin land managers.
Peter Beck, PhD
Associate Professor and Coordinator of Environmental Science and Policy
Students Daisy Garcia (L) and Kristina Schenck discuss their research at the NWACA meeting.