The students in the Environmental Science classes were surprised to learn about the deer hunt in Philadelphia Parks. The parks will be close at 8 Pm from December 1 – March 31 to allow sharpshooters from the Department of Agriculture to kill the deer, not protect the park vegetation, but to reduce the number of vehicle collisions.

The parks affected by the kill are Fairmount Park (east and West of the Schuylkill, and in the Wissahickon Valley) along Cobbs Creek Park in West Philadelphia, Bartram’s Garden in Southwest Philadelphia, FDR Park (the Lakes) in South Philadelphia, and Tacony Creek Park, Poquessing Creek Park and Pennypack Park in Northeast Philadelphia.

MileStone students were surprised to learn the parks near them would be affected by the hunt and why the animals need to be killed. They are developing a committee to help fight against the brutality against local deer. If you would like to become involved, please email info@milestone-academy.org.