White-tailed deer live in Friedrich. Although they are fun to glimpse, there may actually be too many.  Research at Friedrich Park is studying whether hungry deer are responsible for the lack of hardwood saplings. The saplings are important as they will be the future forest and replace the current mature trees.  A small area within Friedrich has a game fence to keep deer out. The density of hardwood saplings within the fenced area and outside among the deer will be compared.

Photo by Allen Perry©

Endangered species

Photo by Artie Richards© Black capped vireo.

Years ago, buffalo. black bear, mountain lion, wolves, jaguars all lived in this area (Weniger). Although these are gone, other area species are currently listed as endangered. These include the golden-cheeked warblers and black-capped vireos.

Photo by Patty Leslie Pasztor© Golden cheeked warbler in nest located in ashe-juniper tree.

Photo by Greg Pasztor©

Friedrich performs occasional controlled burns in order to restore native vegetation to help the endangered birds.

Bibliography