06-19-2008, 11:10 AM
With the awakening of bears across Colorado, comes a new suite of tools available to the public from the Division of Wildlife (DOW). Living with bears in Colorado is a new web page filled with materials that those who care about bears can use in their community, at the campsite, or on the trail to encourage responsible stewardship.
<br>Bears that get comfortable being in close proximity to people are often more likely to pose a threat to human safety. Every year, the DOW must take on the difficult task of putting down bears that have been habituated to human-provided food. This can be avoided if all people practice and encourage "˜bear aware' behaviors in their area.<br>
<br>Since human behavior is the key, the DOW has created downloadable pieces that can be utilized in areas where bears are known to frequent. Homeowners or renters in bear country can employ:<br>
<br>Living with Bears brochure - explains in detail how people affect bear behavior<br>
<br>Bearproofing your home - a one-page handout that walks you through the necessary steps<br>
<br>Keep Bears Wild pledge - a written promise to help Colorado's bears that gets you a window decal to demonstrate your commitment<br>
<br>Attracting birds, not bears - a one-page handout that illustrates responsible bird feeding<br>
<br>Bear resistant trash containers - a one-page guide on where to purchase<br>
<br>Hikers and campers can benefit from:<br>
<br>Camping and hiking in bear country - a step-by-step guide to being conscientious outdoors<br>
<br>Bear Encounters - what to do if you encounter a bear
And of course, children, our most dedicated bear benefactors, can enjoy:<br>
<br>Black bear profile - highlights the biology of bears in Colorado<br>
<br>Black bear challenge - an interactive game to test kids' knowledge of bruins<br>
<br>Colorado Wildlife Company's Bears - an article on bears<br>
<br>Be Bear Aware activity booklet - a coloring book filled with natural history<br>
<br>Image database - a place to search for pictures of bears<br>
<br>In addition, the Living with bears in Colorado web page provides some information on "˜Bear Aware' teams-trained local members of the community who help encourage responsible behavior in their own backyards by helping neighbors learn how to bearproof, provide information about bears in the area and educate about bears in Colorado.<br>
<br>"We hope these new tools will move Coloradoans past knowing about enticing bears to doing something about it," said Lisa Evans, northeast region education coordinator. "If we work together to bearproof the homes and businesses in bear country, we can greatly reduce damage caused by bears and help prevent the unnecessary destruction of many bears every summer."
<br>Bears that get comfortable being in close proximity to people are often more likely to pose a threat to human safety. Every year, the DOW must take on the difficult task of putting down bears that have been habituated to human-provided food. This can be avoided if all people practice and encourage "˜bear aware' behaviors in their area.<br>
<br>Since human behavior is the key, the DOW has created downloadable pieces that can be utilized in areas where bears are known to frequent. Homeowners or renters in bear country can employ:<br>
<br>Living with Bears brochure - explains in detail how people affect bear behavior<br>
<br>Bearproofing your home - a one-page handout that walks you through the necessary steps<br>
<br>Keep Bears Wild pledge - a written promise to help Colorado's bears that gets you a window decal to demonstrate your commitment<br>
<br>Attracting birds, not bears - a one-page handout that illustrates responsible bird feeding<br>
<br>Bear resistant trash containers - a one-page guide on where to purchase<br>
<br>Hikers and campers can benefit from:<br>
<br>Camping and hiking in bear country - a step-by-step guide to being conscientious outdoors<br>
<br>Bear Encounters - what to do if you encounter a bear
And of course, children, our most dedicated bear benefactors, can enjoy:<br>
<br>Black bear profile - highlights the biology of bears in Colorado<br>
<br>Black bear challenge - an interactive game to test kids' knowledge of bruins<br>
<br>Colorado Wildlife Company's Bears - an article on bears<br>
<br>Be Bear Aware activity booklet - a coloring book filled with natural history<br>
<br>Image database - a place to search for pictures of bears<br>
<br>In addition, the Living with bears in Colorado web page provides some information on "˜Bear Aware' teams-trained local members of the community who help encourage responsible behavior in their own backyards by helping neighbors learn how to bearproof, provide information about bears in the area and educate about bears in Colorado.<br>
<br>"We hope these new tools will move Coloradoans past knowing about enticing bears to doing something about it," said Lisa Evans, northeast region education coordinator. "If we work together to bearproof the homes and businesses in bear country, we can greatly reduce damage caused by bears and help prevent the unnecessary destruction of many bears every summer."