The WVU community is welcome to attend a Nature Connection Series talk at the Core Arboretum’s woodland amphitheater today (July 5) at 6 p.m. This week's speaker is Dave Samuel, professor emeritus of wildlife at the WVU Division of Forestry and Natural Resources, and his talk is titled “Whitetail Deer in West Virginia: History, Management, Economics and Problems.”
This talk will focus on whitetail deer in West Virginia and will cover the history of the deer population in the state, how these animals have been managed, economic impacts of deer and some of the problems deer have caused and may face. The talk will include a discussion of the time when West Virginia had almost no deer, DNR deer management strategies, issues caused by fewer hunters, urban deer hunts and chronic wasting disease.
Samuel, who served as a professor at WVU from 1968-1998, is also a nationally renowned author. A long-time supporter of the University, he is the recipient of numerous awards at WVU and nationally. He has written at least three books on whitetail deer and is known locally for his column in The Dominion Post. He has established multiple wildlife exhibits, including those at the Natural Resources Center at Coopers Rock, Stonewall Resort and WVU.
The Nature Connection Series is a series of public talks by local and regional experts on a variety of nature-related subjects that takes place at the WVU Core Arboretum every Tuesday evening through August. This summer, talks will cover topics such as birds, trees, geology, elk in West Virginia, butterflies and many other things.
The talks are free and open to the public, and no registration is required. All the talks are outdoors, so dress for the weather. Talks will be canceled and rescheduled if the weather is inclement. Free parking is available at the Arboretum Parking Lot and the adjacent WVU Coliseum Parking Lot.
The 2022 WVU Core Arboretum Nature Connection Series is supported by the WVU Department of Biology, the WVU Core Arboretum Endowment and donations from the public. All speakers are volunteers. WVU Core Arboretum is Morgantown’s place for nature connection.