The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, in partnership with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), this month launched the Key Deer Research and Response Program, a new initiative designed to engage volunteers to support Key deer conservation by increasing capacity to monitor their population, respond to injured and entangled deer and improve public awareness of the issues Key deer face.
The Key Deer Research and Response Program will train volunteers to assist in field observations, data collection, public outreach and response to wildlife incidents. This collaborative effort aims to strengthen the connection between the community, the refuge and FWC while enhancing the capacity to monitor and protect the Key deer population.
Key deer (Odocoileus virginianus clavium) are a federally-endangered subspecies of white-tailed deer found only in the lower Florida Keys. These small, island-adapted deer face ongoing threats from habitat loss, vehicle collisions, entanglement and disease. Despite these challenges, Key deer are known for their resilience.
Community involvement is essential to ensuring their continued survival and the health of the unique ecosystems they inhabit. A volunteer open house is set for Wednesday, Sept. 24 at 6 p.m at the Nature Center located at 30587 Overseas Highway on Big Pine Key.
More information on the Key deer program is available from Kevin Kalasz at 305-872-0774.
The National Wildlife Refuge system protects wildlife and habitat on more than 150 million acres of land and water in the U.S. Refuges also improve human health, provide outdoor recreation, and support local economies.
More information is at fws.gov/program/national-wildlife-refuge-system.
