Wildlife conservation is the preservation, protection, or restoration of wildlife and their environment, especially in relation to endangered and vulnerable species. At Pierce Cedar Creek Institute, our wildlife conservation efforts are aimed at decreasing the number of overly abundant species that have detrimental effects on the natural ecosystems (i.e. white-tailed deer), while protecting and creating habitats for a number of rare species such as eastern box turtles and eastern massasauga rattlesnakes.
Quality Deer Management: By implementing a quality deer management (625kb PDF) program, Pierce Cedar Creek Institute is committed to controlling the deer herd to a population that can be sustained by the local environment. The current deer population in southwest Michigan is about 70 deer per square mile. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources suggests that southwest Michigan habitats can support no more than 20-25 deer per square mile. This deer over-population is a result of the absence of predators (wolves, coyotes, etc.). Without a management plan in place, the native tree and wildflower populations will continue to decline. The Institute works to control the deer population through a quality deer management program.This reduces the ability of the herd to reproduce and ensures sufficient food sources for the surviving deer.
Native Species Conservation: Many native wildlife species have been negatively affected by environmental degradation and habitat loss. In an effort to create a nesting habitat that is in short supply due to deforestation, the Institute has installed a series of bird nest boxes for a variety of native, cavity-nesting birds. The most popular residents of our nest boxes are Eastern bluebirds, tree swallows, and house wrens. Staff and volunteers diligently monitor (63.8kb PDF) these nest boxes to determine nest success and ensure that they are not being inhabited by undesirable non-native species (i.e. European starlings or house sparrows) and/or parasites.
Landowners can help provide homes for wildlife on their property as well. A number of suitable nest boxes can be purchased or built from relatively simple plans (63.8kb PDF). Click here to learn more about the nesting requirements and nest/brood information of some of Michigan’s most common birds. Another option for some landowners is to keep dead and dying trees in wooded areas. Many animals can make their homes in these hollowed-out trees. Learn more (20.4kb PDF) about the nesting requirements and nest/brood information of some of Michigan’s most common birds.
Through strategic timing of restoration practices and the installation of turtle nest baffles (227kb PDF), the Institute also works to preserve some reptile species, such as eastern massasauga rattlesnakes and eastern box turtles. Click here (17.9kb) for the management guidelines the Institute has adopted to protect our local eastern massasauga rattlesnake population. Please remember that snakes (even venomous ones) play an important role in the ecosystem and it is important to resist the potential urge to kill a snake when one is encountered. Massasaugas avoid confrontation with humans and are not prone to strike. However, like any animal, they will protect themselves from anything they see as a potential predator. It is best to treat these animals with respect and leave them alone.
Wildlife Rehabilitation: Unfortunately, it is not uncommon to encounter wounded or sick wildlife. While young animals may look orphaned, the best course of action is to leave them alone. Often their parents are nearby and will take care of their young. Injury is also common in the natural world. As hard as it may seem, sometimes the best response is to let nature take its course. If one does want to seek treatment for a wild animal, a Department of Natural Resources and Environment licensed wildlife rehabilitator should be contacted. Pierce Cedar Creek Institute does not have the resources or licensing necessary to properly rehabilitate wild animals. Please click here (76.2kb PDF) for a list of licensed rehabilitators, as well as tips on what to do if orphaned or injured wildlife is encountered.