The following is a notification letter from Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy regarding a managed deer hunt at Wau Ke Na:

"Hello neighbors and supporters of Wau Ke Na,

On January 6 – 10 (Monday through Friday), Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy (SWMLC) will be conducting a managed deer hunt at both its Wau Ke Na (north and south) preserves.

Why?
    Conservation partners up and down the lakeshore, as well as throughout southwest Michigan and beyond are experiencing the highest deer densities our state has ever seen. While it is no fault of the deer, the impact on habitat is tremendous, and it is our responsibility as stewards of this preserve to try and address the issue. Deer target young saplings, flowers, and tender shoots, creating negative impacts for the next generation of trees and wildflowers we need to keep these habitats diverse, and supportive of other wildlife. The forests at Wau Ke Na north tract are bare - they lack the abundance of spring wildflowers, shrubs, and young tree growth they had even 10 years ago. In addition, deer collisions with cars are a frequent safety issue we hear about from neighbors, and the statewide car collision data regularly shows Allegan as one of the top 5 counties in the state for deer collisions. We have decided to begin the long-term process of reducing the deer herd to lower levels, all the while we will be monitoring the plant-life on the preserve to measure our impact.

Safety
     All preserve entrances, formal and informal, will be closed off and signed clearly for the entire week. Our designated hunters are trusted people in the community we work with and know: conservation partners, neighbors, and farmers. SWMLC stewardship staff have created zones within the preserve that ensure that hunters will be at safe and legal distances from residential areas, as well as each other. Safety and professionalism is our number one priority. SWMLC staff will be on site each day to ensure hunters are safe and following protocol, monitor the progress of the hunt, be present if any issues arise, as well as assist hunters in retrieving deer.

Venison
      The venison that comes from the deer harvested at the preserve will feed family and friends of the hunters that give their time to this cause, as well as food banks and churches that feed our community. Deer overpopulation and food insecurity are both pressing issues in our region, and we feel good about helping address both challenges with one program.

Questions
     Thank you for your support and understanding. If you have any questions, or concerns, please respond to this email ([email protected]) and we will respond as soon as we can.
       
Sincerely,
Mike Larson(Executive Director) 
Mitch Lettow (Conservation and Stewardship Director)
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Saugatuck Township offocials have concerns about the proximity of new home construction to the edge of the bluffs along Lake Michigan.  In order to provide a time to review and to discuss this setback issue, the Saugatuck Township Board of Trustees, at its December 11th meeting, voted to establish a four month building moratorium on new residential construction on properties west of Lakeshore Drive. This moratorium does not apply to stairs or demolition projects.