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Rondeau Park Deer Controversy

Subject Area

This activity is designed for the Grade 11/12 Geography, Environmental Studies, and Science programs.

Subject Application

This lesson should be utilized to teach students the process of researching controversial environmental issues. Following the completion of this lesson, students can be assigned individual or group research projects to investigate and analyze other controversial environmental issues.

Specifically, this activity should be taught after an introduction to terrestrial ecosystems. It could also be used as an exercise later in a unit where the students apply what they have learned to this case. Students should have a basic understanding of the structure of an ecosystem and the factors which influence it. Students should research or be provided with information on Carolinian Forests in Canada prior to the exercise. This activity can be applied within the Environmental Issues Units of Senior Geography and Science programs.

Learning Outcomes

Teaching, learning and evaluation will focus on the student’s ability to:

  • Identify and analyze proposed environmental management actions;
  • Describe and evaluate potential outcomes from these actions;
  • Compare views on an issue from several sources, and identify bias and point of view in information;
  • Describe, explain, and defend a point of view on an environmental issue.

Classroom Development

Note: This exercise utilizes a Globe and Mail newspaper article as part of the introductory exercise. Due to copyright restrictions it is suggested that the teacher read this article to the class and then discuss it. As an alternative, the students could be assigned to read this article, individually or in groups, as a library assignment outside of class time (allow a one week period and schedule reading times). Check with your school librarian to see if this could be arranged. You could also keep one copy in your classroom and schedule group reading times.

  1. Prior to the exercise, provide students with background information on the structure of ecosystems and information on Carolinian Forests as a unique feature in Canada. Sources of this information are noted in the Background Information section. Reinforce the need to have some background information before researching any issue.
  2. Read the article by Douglas Smith, “Should we kill the deer to save the trees?” to the class or assign it as a group or individual library reading project. Provide students with the Student Question Sheet: “Should we kill the deer to save the trees?” to guide their reading and record their answers.
  3. Lead a class discussion, using the Question Sheet as a guide, in order to insure that all students are able to answer the questions.
  4. Be sure to review the background and facts of this issue; identify the various interest groups and their viewpoints. Discuss the possibility of biased viewpoints.
  5. Have students present arguments or develop plans for a solution to this environmental management problem. These arguments and plans should be submitted to the identified interest groups for comment so that students have the opportunity to see some results or response to their ideas and work.

Extension

  1. Students could contact the interest groups for more information.
  2. Conduct a debate of the issue(s).
  3. Assign individual or group research projects on other controversial issues (Neal Bernards’ The Environmental Crisis: Opposing Viewpoints, is a good source of information).

Background Information

A brief descriptive background on the Carolinian Forest in Southern Ontario can be found in R.D. Lawrence, The Natural History Of Canada, pp. 252-255. An excellent introduction to the structure of ecosystems are Chapters 1 and 2 of W.A. Andrews, Investigating Terrestrial Ecosystems, 2nd Edition.
The Rondeau Park Deer Herd issue is not yet resolved as of June 1993. Therefore, it is possible to still follow this issue and perhaps obtain further information from the Ministry of Natural Resources on the status of the decision. Such information would offer research opportunities for students and will form a more complete case study when an outcome is finally determined.
For further research, an excellent source of opposing viewpoints on controversial environmental issues is, Neal Bernards’ The Environmental Crisis: Opposing Viewpoints (see Resources Section). This book provides opposing viewpoints on issues such as environmental quality, pesticide use, waste management, toxic waste, air and water pollution and environmental protection. This book also provides a useful introduction into the importance of examining opposing viewpoints.

Timing

  • One period is required to complete the reading and question discussion. If assigned as an individual or group library reading assignment, allow up to one week for out-of-class reading.
  • An additional period is required to discuss the responses to the questions, and to allow students to make recommendations for appropriate action.

Resources

Andrews, WA. Investigating Terrestrial Ecosystems, 2nd Edition. Scarborough: Prentice-Hall, 1986.

Bernards, Neal ed. The Environmental Crisis: Opposing Viewpoints. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 1991.

Lawrence, RD The Natural History Of Canada. Toronto: Key Porter, 1988.

Smith, Douglas. “Should we kill the deer to save the trees?” Globe and Mail. January 23, 1993 (available on microfilm or fiche, check with your librarian).

Cross-disciplinary Links

Aspects of the English program could be incorporated to further investigate the role of bias and the media in reporting and influencing issues. The activity “Media And The Environment” which is part of this curriculum document is a suitable accompanying activity for this case study. This activity could also be used as the basis for an Independent Study Unit in Geography, English, Science or History courses. Issues of copyright could be discussed in Business/Law classes as part of this exercise. The use of newspapers and other media as sources of information on issues could be discussed in English and Society courses.

Student Materials

  • “Should we kill the deer to save the trees?” Globe and Mail. January 23, 1993.
  • Student Question Sheet (Questions Below)
  1. What is the environmental management issue in this case?
  2. Why is Rondeau Provincial Park considered unique?
  3. Describe the history of the white-tailed deer herd in Rondeau.
  4. Identify the key groups affected by this issue and describe their interests.
  5. Do you feel this article is biased in any way? Explain your opinion(s).
  6. Based on the facts of this issue, what conclusions and generalizations can you draw?
  7. What recommendations would you make to resolve this issue?