About Us

The Wild Trust started in the New York state’s Hudson Valley, as residents, hunters, and experts decided to take action. The reality is clear: White-tailed deer must be managed. For years, the impact of too many deer has eroded the daily life of every other living organism, from plants to humans. Struggling forests, damaged agriculture, an increase in deer-vehicle collisions and in tick-borne illnesses like Lyme disease—the effects of this overpopulation are abundantly clear. And yet the current solutions weren’t enough to meaningfully address the scale of the issues.

That’s why we created The Wild Trust. Grounded in science, shaped by ethics, and driven by community, we’re working to restore balance to the landscapes, wildlife, and ecosystems we all depend on.

Our Mission

The Wild Trust reimagines the relationships between humans, white-tailed deer, and the environment to help landscapes flourish.

Our values

Ethical

We respect all species and the roles they play in our ecosystem.

Courageous

We are willing to take on complicated and complex issues to benefit the environment as a whole.

Collaborative

We work with a range of organizations and individuals to build broad-based awareness, understanding, and action.

Pragmatic

Our work is scientifically backed and data informed. We focus on measurable outcomes.

Resourceful

We find creative ways to implement programs that maximize positive impact for wildlife, plants, and humans alike.

meet our team

Eli Arnow
Eli is a dedicated ecological hunter, land steward, and environmental advocate. He is an expert in land management planning and has worked extensively on developing and implementing deer exclosures, among other solutions and mitigation methods. He has a master's degree from SUNY ESF in environmental science with a concentration in ecological restoration.

Bob Dandrew
Bob has dedicated his professional life to working at the intersection of economics, environmentalism, and culture with an eye toward locally owned business, resilient agriculture, and democratic participation in decision making. Bob also directs the Local Economies Project at the New World Foundation.

Jack McDonald
For nearly 30 years, Jack has been a writing and story consultant for independent films and online media, creating compelling content on science, history, and current events for mass audiences, NGOs, and advocacy groups. He has also written and directed Emmy Award-winning films for National Geographic and PBS, focused on such topics as climate change in Peru and natural disasters in Haiti. A distinguished instructor, he has taught documentary workshops throughout the U.S. and Europe.

Troy Weldy
Troy has been in the conservation field his entire career working to conserve forests and improve the health of our land. He spent many years with The Nature Conservancy and now leads the Columbia Land Conservancy. He serves as a Master Instructor for the NYS Hunter Education Program.