Seeing dead deer on the side of the road is a common experience in Hopewell Valley. Yet, most of us still cringe at the scene.
This increasingly frequent sight is an upsetting symptom of a much larger issue. As the deer population increases, the impact is devastating to both the deer and our local economy.
Through grant funding, local nonprofits Friends of Hopewell Valley Open Space (FoHVOS) and The Sourland Conservancy commissioned documentary filmmaker Jared Flesher to explore the impact of deer on the local environment.
FoHVOS Stewardship Director Michael Van Clef Ph.D appears in the film and asks the disturbing question, “Who would have thought that we literally cannot grow new trees in a forest?” He explains that excessive deer destroy the forest understory where new trees normally take root.
The short film “The Deer Stand,” premiers at the new Hopewell Theatre on October 3rd and will be followed by a panel discussion that includes the filmmaker, an ecologist, a sustainable farmer, law enforcement, hunters and others.
Filmmaker Jared Flesher will be on the panel and discuss his experience making the film. Panelists Michael Van Clef Ph.D, Brian Kubin, a management hunter, and Chris Moran, a new hunter, all appear in the film.
Jon McConaughy, co-founder of Brick Farm Groups and a panelist, will share that deer are among the biggest threats to food costs from the perspective of a local sustainable farmer.
Hopewell Township Police Chief Lance Maloney is a panelist that will share his insights regarding impact of deer accidents throughout Hopewell Valley.
2017 Hopewell Valley Central High School graduate Fiona Crawford rounds out our panel to share the important perspective of an active, budding environmentalist.
The film and panel discussion will engage anyone that cares about maintaining Hopewell’s bucolic environment. Our responsibility goes far beyond simply preserving open space. We need to ensure that we take care of our land. It is the heart and soul needed to ensure our quality of life here in the Valley.
Sponsor Trattoria Procaccini will provide seasonal appetizers and Sourland Mountain Spirits will serve cocktails, and coffee, tea and sweets will be provided.
It should be a great evening at The Hopewell Theatre, this Tuesday, October 3rd at 7pm. Don’t miss it.
For more information and to reserve tickets, visit: www.fohvos.org/2017DeerStand.html
