DUMMERSTON — The Dummerston Conservation Commission will present a forum, “Deer in the Woods: Too Many, Too Few, or Just Right?” on Tuesday, Oct. 24, at 7 p.m., at The Learning Collaborative, 471 Route 5, Dummerston.
The topic of deer population control is a critical issue for the health of Windham County's forests. This event promises to flush out the underpinnings of this concern, according to a news release. There will be a moderated panel of experts in the field. They include:
• George Weir, a licensed consulting forester, who manages woodlands within Windham County and beyond. Weir has held many leadership positions, including the former chair of the Windham Regional Woodland Association and President of the Consulting Foresters Association of Vermont.
• Nick Fortin, deer biologist for the Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife. Among other duties, Fortin is responsible for informing the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Board of the size and health of Vermont's deer herd. The Board makes decisions about the number of hunting permits issued.
• Tim Morton, a stewardship forester for the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks & Recreation.
• David Deen, a local Vermont legislator for over 28 years. He currently is the chair of the Vermont House Committee on Fish, Wildlife & Water Resources and is an honorary trustee of the Connecticut River Conservancy, where he served as river steward for 19 years.
The discussion will be moderated by Dummerston Conservation Commission member Judy Fink, who holds an M.S. in environmental studies from Antioch University New England.
There will be time at the end of the evening for audience members to ask questions and to share their views. For more information, contact the Dummerston Conservation Commission at [email protected] or 802-257-0012.