Supported by: 

Research & Development Grants from Rhode Island Council for the Humanities
Seedworks Fund
Rhode Island PBS

Background & Synopsis

In November of 2009 a group of residents from Block Island, Rhode Island, proposed to their town council a significant reduction and potential elimination of the island deer herd. This idea, in the works for a decade, was researched and initiated by Citizens Concerned about Lyme Disease, a group of islanders tired of waiting for the town to do something about the growing Lyme disease incidence. Virtually every resident on the island has had Lyme with varying intensity of symptoms. Needles to say their reactions to the idea of deer elimination were as varied as their symptoms. In response to this, the town council created the deer task force, a group in charge of logistics dealing with the deer elimination. Their role is to implement and oversee this process.

Through a number of differing personal opinions the film will give voice to all sides. By choosing not to side with any one point of view, and acknowledging the concerns of all, the film will avoid stereotyping and simplifying its characters and the overall issue, but will aim to give a more nuanced view of the complex issues that arise with human attempts to manage and control nature.