If anyone is interested in the preservation of forest habitat for forest breeding bird species, please consider attending this public information meeting on "Loch Raven Reservoir Forest Preservation through Deer Management".  Understory and midstory bird habitat is being eaten from the ground up by the over-abundant white-tailed deer population.  Due to the very apparent deer browse line, one can now look through the forest and see little to no herbaceous, shrub, seedling, or sapling layer except for the lush carpet of Japanese stilt grass that deer do not eat.  Dr. David Curson, Director of Bird Conservation for Audubon Maryland-DC, will be one of the featured speakers.  Information on the meeting is provided below.  If you wish to respond to this e-mail, please respond to me off list at my work e-mail address  .  Thank you. 

Gene Scarpulla

Eugene J. Scarpulla, Watershed Manager
City of Baltimore
Reservoir Natural Resources Section
5685 Oakland Road
Eldersburg, MD 21784-6828
(410) 795-6151
Fax: (410) 549-9327

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“Loch Raven Reservoir Forest Preservation through Deer Management”
Public Informational Meeting
Thursday, August 28, 2008
7:00 p.m.
Loch Raven High School Auditorium
1212 Cowpens Avenue (where it intersects Cromwell Bridge Road)
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
 
Public Meeting on Loch Raven Deer Management Program
 
A Public Meeting is scheduled for Thursday, August 28, at 7 p.m. in the auditorium of the Loch Raven High School at 1212 Cowpens Avenue (at Cromwell Bridge Road, just east of Loch Raven Boulevard) for the purpose of explaining a reservoir deer management plan that the City of Baltimore and Baltimore County are undertaking to protect forest lands within the Loch Raven Reservoir.
 
Due to destructive over-browsing by deer, new growth is greatly lacking in the forested watershed leading to a mature, aging woodland.  A healthy forest buffer is a best land management goal and ensures water quality for the Loch Raven Reservoir.  Insuring the ability of our reservoir forests to regenerate is critical to maintaining our water supplies for all of our 1.8 million water customers.
 
Contact:
 
Kurt L. Kocher
Telephone: 410-545-6541
email: