Environmental Education Center

1115 W. Avon Road
Rochester Hills, MI  48309
(west of Livernois, south of Avon)

Phone:  248-656-4775
Fax: 248-656-4762  (available after 4 pm only)
Email

Call to schedule a group program or tour.

• No pets or bicycles permitted in the EEC or on the trails.
• The EEC

  Coyotes and You: What Can YOU Do Video

  does not take injured or baby animals.
• Informative displays, exhibits, and resources.  

Map to EEC Park 
Park Informational Flyer
EEC Spring Programs

Located near the Clinton River and within the Avon Nature Area, 100 acres of rolling topography containing open fields, mature oaks, northern hardwood forests, aspen groves, lowlands, a native prairie landscape,  a stream, and a pond.

Wildlife abounds, including white-tailed deer, fox, squirrel, great blue heron, black-capped chickadee, American goldfinch, great horned owl, and coyote.

Picnicking areas.

Parking

Parking is available adjacent to the Environmental Education Center.

Deer Managment Advisory Committee Final Report – September 28, 2009  Deer Management Implementation Plan 2010 - City Council Approved

 

Information on Gardening with Deer 

Deer Feeding Habits 2009 Summer Study Joanna Noack conducted a summer study in 2009 on the Deer Feeding Habits with Vegetation Following are photos of three test gardens:   Garden 1 "Plants Deer Prefer" (Untreated with repellents)   Garden 2 "Plants Deer Prefer" (Treated with repellents)   Garden 3 "Plants Not Preferred by Deer" (Untreated)   Garden Comparisons Shows photos of the three gardens side by side

Barriers, dogs, fences, and various scent repellents can help to keep deer out.

REPELLENTS

COMMERCIAL SCENT REPELLENTS (available at many nurseries)

• Hinder
• Ro-Pel
• Big Game Repellent
• Bonide Rabbit-Deer Repellent and Bulb Saver
• Tree Guard by Nortech

Follow instructions carefully, some repellents need to be reapplied after rain.  Some products can be mixed with an anti-transpirant such as Wild-Pruf, For Ever Green, Pro-Tec, or Vapor Gard to give it season-long effectiveness.

A combination anti-transpirant and pest repellent is Bonide Rabbit-Deer Repellent and Bulb Saver.  Chew-Not also repels by taste.

HOME-MADE REPELLENTS

• Used cat litter  sprinkled around plant
• Bloodmeal sprinkled around plants will deter deer and rabbits and will also supply the soil with nitrogen.
• Hang on wires  30" above ground  bars of strong-scented deodorant soap (in their wrappers)
• Egg spray
• Tabasco sauce spray
• Garlic spray

FENCES

• Use a double fence  two 4'-high fences approximately 5 feet apart with 2"x4" mesh  deer are unable to jump both fences at once.
• Cover the most vulnerable plants with chicken wire.
• Wrap the trunks of very young trees with wire mesh.

There is no guarantee on any of these methods.  What works for one person may not work for another.  Be persistent and diverse.  Plant flowers and shrubs that deer dislike. 

Deer are not the only animals eating plants.  Rabbits, groundhogs, and squirrels also eat plants.  Mice, voles, and gophers will eat the underground parts of flowering plants and a wide variety of other roots, bulbs, tubers, grasses, and seeds.  Chipmunks also cause plant and bulb damage.

Other control measures and fence alternatives are available in "The Pocket Guide to The Humane Control of Wildlife in Cities and Towns" (ISBN 1-56044-113-5).

LET'S ENJOY OUR WILDLIFE.  

Likelihood of Deer Damage on Trees and Shrubs

Deer Resistant Native Plants

Per City Ordinance:

Sec. 14-91.  Deer feeding prohibited.
No person may place or permit placement on the ground or within five feet of the ground any fruit, berries, grain, vegetables, nuts, salt or other edible material or bait which may reasonably be expected to attract or feed deer unless such materials are covered or protected in a way to prevent deer from feeding on them.
(Ord. No. 525, 1, 9-22-08)

Rules and Regulations. Click on Park Ordinance (Chapter 74) for complete listing.