Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Study shows modest recovery at Griffey Lake after deer culls; board approves continued monitoring
Summary
EcoLogic and city staff reported small improvements in plant growth metrics at Griffey Lake in 2024 but said heavy browse persists on preferred species; the Parks Board approved a 2025 monitoring agreement to continue tracking impacts.
The Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department on Tuesday heard results of a multi-year study showing modest vegetation recovery at Griffey Lake after the city began controlled deer harvests in 2018, and the board approved continuing monitoring in 2025.
Heidi Shoemaker, natural resources coordinator, introduced Kevin Tungusvick of EcoLogic, which has monitored transects at Griffey Lake since 2020. EcoLogic presented year‑to‑year measurements showing that several indicators — woody sapling height and diameter, and the height of spring wildflowers such as jack‑in‑the‑pulpit and Solomon’s seal — rose in 2024 after a period of stagnation. “There were small improvements in all metrics in 2024,” Kevin said.
Why it matters: staff and the consultant said the improvements suggest the site is recovering from intense deer browse but is not yet returned to a balanced…
Already have an account? Log in
Subscribe to keep reading
Unlock the rest of this article — and every article on Citizen Portal.
- Unlimited articles
- AI-powered breakdowns of topics, speakers, decisions, and budgets
- Instant alerts when your location has a new meeting
- Follow topics and more locations
- 1,000 AI Insights / month, plus AI Chat
