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Kalamazoo commissioners discuss groundhogs eating community gardens, consider education and demonstration exclosures
Summary
Members of the Environmental Concerns Commission heard a resident report groundhogs destroying neighborhood gardens on Kalamazoo’s north side and discussed nonlethal mitigation, information links and possible demonstration exclosures rather than citywide funding for fences or trapping.
The Environmental Concerns Commission heard a report about groundhogs eating home and community garden plantings on Kalamazoo’s north side and discussed nonlethal responses, demonstration projects and information-sharing.
At the meeting, Member Tresa Grishak read an email from a resident who said she paid to have soil tilled and bought seedlings only to find “all the plants were gone, eaten down to the ground,” and that two groundhog burrows are visible next door. Grishak said the resident requested that the city manager’s office investigate options to control groundhogs so residents can garden.
Commissioners and members discussed a range of low-cost and community-based options rather than broad city-funded fencing. Member Thomas Dewhurst suggested linking to Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) guidance online and offering that as a first step. Member Demaris Potter and others suggested model exclosures for community gardens — demonstration installations residents could visit to evaluate feasibility — and exploration of lending programs for live traps, with the caveat that relocation rules limit options.
“I have a feeling this would be cost prohibitive,” one member said about supplying traps, and another noted state rules that generally prohibit relocating trapped wildlife. Members also highlighted practical fence details discussed in the meeting: exclosures must typically extend about 12 inches underground to block burrowing and be tall enough to discourage climbing; raised beds closed with rabbit wire were described as effective on some sites.
Commissioners urged the Wildlife and Natural Resources committee to draft a plan that prioritizes humane, low-impact options and public information. Ideas offered included partnering with the Kalamazoo Garden Council, the Kalamazoo Conservation District and the Master Gardener program for demonstration installations, volunteer help and outreach; posting DNR guidance on Kalamazoo City web pages; and exploring whether library-style lending of equipment could be feasible.
The commission did not adopt any formal policy or allocate funds at the meeting. Members said follow-up would focus on committee work to develop recommendations and public-facing resources for residents who report garden damage.
Looking ahead, commissioners asked staff and the relevant committee to prepare information the commission can share with the resident who raised the issue and to consider demonstration exclosures and other educational steps before recommending any city-funded assistance.
