Deer Impacts
Other wildlife, plants and insects depend on a diverse and balanced forest and healthy understory
🚗 Vehicle Collisions
Danger to drivers and passengers
🌲 Overbrowse Impact
Seedlings & Saplings degrading forest health
🌳 Widespread Destruction
Cliff edge damage & beach vegetation loss
ACK Tickborne Diseases
The overpopulation of deer has led to a severe tickborne disease crisis on Nantucket
🔴 Lyme Disease - Critical Alert
15%+
Year-round population infected
60%
ACK households affected
⚠️ Highest rate in U.S.
Believed to be much higher as majority doesn’t get reported
Other Tickborne Diseases:
Babesiosis
Blood parasite infection
Anaplasmosis
Bacterial infection
Alpha Gal
Meat allergy syndrome
Economic Costs
The deer overpopulation creates significant financial burden on the community
🏥
Societal Health Care
Treatment costs for tickborne diseases
📉
Loss of Productivity
Economic impact of health issues
💼
Loss of Income
Missed work due to illness & accidents
🏠
Property Damage
Gardens, landscapes & structures
🏖️
Accelerated Coastal Erosion
Shoreline damage & stabilization costs
🚙
Vehicle Damage
Collision repairs & insurance costs
🌾
Agricultural Damage
Crop & farm losses
Economic Costs
The deer overpopulation creates significant financial burden on the community
🌿
Native Plants & Ecosystems
🏖️
Dunes & Beaches
🌳
Trees & Shrubs
🏡
Gardens & Landscapes
🪴
Window Boxes
🌸
In-Town Plantings
🫐
Cranberry Crops
🚜