Andy Metz is a masters student at the University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability. Specializing in Ecosystem Science and Management, Andy is particularly interested in wildlife conservation and ecology, and is a part of a master’s project working to create a management plan for white-tailed deer throughout Southeast Michigan. During his undergraduate program at Alma College, Andy worked on population data research regarding Blanding’s turtle in the Sandusky, Ohio area. This past summer he worked with Blue Heron Headwaters Conservancy, an environmental nonprofit, as a GIS specialist and event coordinator, helping to create treatment maps for invasive species and manage outreach events for the organization. After graduation this spring, Andy plans on pursuing a career in environmental conservation, especially with local governments or with a nonprofit organization.

TSN Conference 2026

January 22nd, 2026 (Thursday) // 1:45 pm – 2:10 pm // Room 105 // The Deer Dilemma: Methods of Managing Urban Deer in Southeast Michigan // Managing the impacts of overabundant urban deer populations has become a priority for many municipal governments and land management organizations in Southeast Michigan. This project served to advance current and future urban deer management by producing a standardized guide for new programs and providing technical support for the implementation of the first regional deer management program in Farmington Hills, Farmington, and Southfield. Three pillars of urban deer management were used as a framework for the project: ecological, social, and program development. Project elements included conducting interviews with city employees and land managers, providing recommendations for ecological monitoring programs, and developing a variety of materials to support deer management programs in Southeast Michigan. Moving forward, we offer recommendations for municipalities interested in implementing urban deer management programs.