06/15/2026
Master Gardener Volunteers aren’t just passionate about gardening—they are dedicated to educating our community about issues that affect the environment we all share.
Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) has recently been identified in areas near our region, making public awareness more important than ever. Knowing what to look for and how to report concerns can make a difference in protecting Florida’s deer population.
Here’s what you need to know: CWD is a neurological disease being found in the deer population. It was found in Holmes County, Georgia in 2023 and was recently identified in the Valdosta area. It is contagious, and can be spread by both direct and indirect means, such as saliva, or an environment contaminated by an infected deer. It is fatal to all infected animals, so containing the spread of the disease is imperative to protect the deer population.
Some meat processors in the area have assisted by examining the brain tissue of roadkill deer to determine if they were infected with the disease.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission has requested help from the general public in the CWD WATCH—this involves reporting roadkill deer by calling (866) 293-9382. The deer will be picked up and the brain tissue examined to see if the deer was infected. Also, if you observe deer behavior that seems abnormal, you are asked to call the above number and report where you saw the deer.
Your assistance in this matter would be a great help in gathering data to determine if the disease has spread into other areas.
