Mission Statement and Overview

The National Whitetail Deer Education Foundation is an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to promoting respect and compassion for the whitetail deer and all of nature through innovative educational programs and events. The Foundation’s mission is to inspire lifelong learning and a sustained curiosity and respect for all of nature and the outdoors. One of our main goals is to help youth reconnect with the outdoor world, and to help reverse the trend of declining youth participation in outdoor activities. We achieve this goal through educational programs and community outreach. The NWDEF supports the Deerassic Park Education Center, 117 acres near Salt Fork State Park on US 22 east of Cambridge, Ohio. It is easily accessible and near the intersection of Interstates 70 and 77 in Guernsey County.

The park is currently open only for school field trips and special events. Please see our link "Deerassic Park Education Center Plans" for more information. The Deerassic Park Education Center is home to a herd of spectacular whitetail deer and the location for the future Ohio Whitetail Hall of Fame Museum complex. The deer enclosure provides an up-close opportunity for observation of this magnificent animal in its natural habitat. We offer The Outside Is In! field trip and group tour program highlighting hands-on outdoor education. This program features a guided interpretive walk in the woods, a visit to the deer to learn interesting facts about Ohio’s state mammal, and other fun outdoor activities on the park’s beautiful property of woods and fields. The Whitetail’s Journey is an innovative in-school program focusing on the importance of the whitetail deer in Ohio’s history. Students sit on deer skins, handle artifacts, and act out parts of the lesson as they learn about the whitetail and the outdoors. A short video and take-home information for parents is also part of the program. All educational programs are designed to help meet State Academic Content Standards and to encourage youth and families to engage in outdoor activities as a healthy lifestyle choice. Our presenters bring years of outdoor experience, knowledge and passion for the outdoors to inspire youth, and audiences of all ages, in lifelong learning of the wonders of the natural world.

HISTORY OF THE NATIONAL WHITETAIL DEER EDUCATION FOUNDATION

The National Whitetail Deer Education Foundation was the concept of visionary Dean Ziegler, lifelong outdoorsman and nationally recognized expert on the whitetail deer. The NWDEF became a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in 1996. Ziegler currently serves as Operations Director of the Deerassic Park Education Center. In addition to offering innovative outdoor education programs and events, the NWDEF will build the Ohio Whitetail Hall of Fame Museum at the Deerassic Park Education Center. This museum will house the Ohio Whitetail Spectacular collection that has been accumulated by Ziegler since the mid-1970s, and is considered the largest collection of world class whitetails ever assembled. The NWDEF is governed by a voluntary board of directors. This multi-faceted project has the potential to become a major education center and tourist attraction with national impact.

HISTORY OF THE WHITETAIL

The whitetail deer is Ohio’s state animal, and has played an integral part in our country’s rich heritage. The whitetail is also considered the most important big-game animal in North America.

Early pioneers were able to survive, settle and develop North America in part due to the whitetail deer’s plentiful presence. Settlers turned deer skins into a thriving business, trading for barter or cash. Deer hides were used to pay official’s salaries and sometimes even used to pay land taxes. Products derived from deer included candles, soap, clothing, shoes, forks, ammonia, snow shoe netting, and window coverings.

Today, the whitetail deer is still an important part of our everyday lives and culture.