Bryan Farmer has worked for more than 28 years with the City of Farmington Hills Department of Special Services, where he has created and led hundreds of community programs and initiatives, including several award-winning facilities and services. His leadership and innovation in parks, recreation, and community engagement have made him a trusted voice throughout Michigan.

Bryan is deeply involved in wildlife and conservation work across the region. He serves as Chair of the Southeast Michigan Urban Deer Coalition, is a member of the Michigan Deer Advisory Team, President and Founder of the Hunt Michigan Collaborative, a board member of the SCI Novi Chapter, and an active member of several conservation organizations. He is also a USA Archery Level 3 Instructor and a Certified Parks and Recreation Professional.

Bryan’s role in deer management began in 2014, when he was tasked with supporting deer data collection in Farmington Hills. That work grew into a comprehensive leadership position in urban deer management across the state. In 2021, he spearheaded the formation of the Southeast Michigan Urban Deer Coalition, which now consists of more than 30 communities and organizations across seven counties.

In 2024, Bryan was appointed to the State of Michigan’s Deer Management Initiative (DMI), collaborating with 23 other key stakeholders to provide recommendations to the Natural Resources Commission and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. That same year, he partnered with the University of Michigan’s School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS) to help develop a standardized approach to urban deer management statewide. In 2025, he led the development of the first regional deer management strategy, scheduled to launch in 2026.

Driven by collaboration, science-based strategy, and a commitment to community well-being, Bryan continues to shape the future of urban deer management in Michigan.

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.