The Benjamin Center for Public Policy Initiatives at SUNY New Paltz and Mohonk Preserve will present a panel discussion on deer management and the ethics of hunting, Thursday, Sept. 28, from 5 – 7 p.m. at the College Terrace on the New Paltz campus.
The panel aims to address an important and sometimes contentious debate in the Hudson Valley and throughout the state. Problems arising from an overabundance of deer are a serious concern in the region, but many community members feel passionately about hunting and other methods of animal population control.
“This issue both elicits strong emotional reactions and raises very important lifestyle and economic issues for our region,” said Benjamin Center Director Gerald Benjamin, who will serve as panel moderator. “We are pleased to offer this thorough consideration of its multiple dimensions to the people and decision makers of our region.”
The panel will be chaired by David Elstein, who also chairs the Philosophy Department at New Paltz, and who has an interest in environmental ethics.
Comments will be offered by College President Donald P. Christian, a wildlife biologist, and Professor Emerita of Biology Carol Rietsma, who has done extensive research on deer browsing in the region. Both Rietsma and Christian serve as members of the Mohonk Preserve Board of Directors.
The Sept. 28 panel expands upon The Benjamin Center’s 2016 brief, “The Hunt for Balance,” by Brent Miller ’08 (Sociology), Northeast States Director of the Congressional Sportsman Foundation and SUNY New Paltz alumnus.
Space for this event is limited. Those interested in attending the discussion are asked to RSVP to benjamincenter@newpaltz.edu. Light refreshments will be served. Visit www.newpaltz.edu/map for directions.
About the Benjamin Center
The Benjamin Center (formerly CRREO) was established in 2007 to further engage SUNY New Paltz with communities, governments, not-for-profits and businesses across our region. The center conducts and publicizes research on regional topics; creates and directs select institutes focusing on specific areas of regional interest; connects and partners with local governments, not-for-profits and businesses to initiate reforms and advocate for best practices; contracts to assess the performance of public and not-for-profit agencies and programs; and works to foster intergovernmental collaboration and community engagement.
If you are interested in being added to the mailing list for reports from The Benjamin Center, please send an email with your address to wilkinsc@newpaltz.edu. More information about the Benjamin Center is available online.
About Mohonk Preserve
Protecting more than 8,000 acres of mountain cliffs, forests, fields, streams, and other unique and beautiful places through conservation science-based land management, Mohonk Preserve is New York’s largest nonprofit nature preserve. With award-winning programs in conservation science, environmental education, land protection and stewardship, Mohonk Preserve helps people of all ages and abilities get into nature through student and adult programs, summer camps, hikes, and citizen-science opportunities. For more information, visit www.mohonkpreserve.org.
