Human/Bear Conflict Workshop
IBBR was invited to present our Poster on our rehabilitation program at the Human/Bear Conflict Workshop in Missoula, Montana, March 2012. It was a wonderful experience, and we had the opportunity to meet attendees from all over the U.S., Canada, and beyond who are working with wild black bears, polar bears, and grizzlies. So many of the attendees, including MANY from wildlife agencies and park systems are working hard to find a balance between the activities of humans and bears - most are implementing humane and effective solutions to issues that arise during conflicts between humans and bears: bear proof trash containers, ordinances prohibiting the feeding of wildlife (birds and squirrels too), education programs for urban and rural communities, education programs for back country users, and more. Many are concluding that it's the activities of humans which are the leading source of problems, and that must be addressed and changed - the short term solutions, such as bear removal from an area, will not make long term change. We were been pleasantly surprised at the "bear positive" attitudes and policies that were expressed at the workshop! We intend to incorporate a specific "Bear Wise" element into our current education program.
Education Program
IBBR is gearing up for two days of presentations in May 2012, to over 600 schoolchildren in the Wood River Valley of Idaho. We have been asked to participate in the annual Environmental Education Outreach Program by the Environmental Resource Center. From www.ercsv.org: "In 1999 a committee of local educators, journalists, interested Blaine Country citizens and ERC Board members recognized the need for more environmental education in Blaine County schools. The committee determined that the best solution would be supplementing the traditional education students were receiving with outside presentations. Over the years, this effort has grown from a single-school pilot program to a highly anticipated annual event for all the 2nd and 3rd graders in the county (from Hemingway to Carey), roughly 600 students annually. Since its inception, this program has brought quality environmental education to thousands of elementary school children." IBBR is very excited to participate in this annual event!
As a part of our current efforts to expand our education program for children and adults, we are currently putting together a "bear education trunk." We have model examples of bear paws, bear tracks, black bear skull, and scat (acorn diet)…we are wanting to add additional items to display and share including DVDs and books about black bears. If you have an item that you would like to donate or would like to donate funds to allow us to purchase additional items, please contact us at info@bearrehab.org.
In addition, we are seeking additional funding to upgrade our current remote camera and video recording system, which in turn will enable us to implement our IBBR CUB CAM project. The proposed IBBR CUB CAM will provide live video feed on the web, recorded video presentations, and webcast opportunities with live video feed to schools, students, zoos, libraries, wildlife agencies, wildlife rehabilitators, biologists, animal organizations, and bear projects around the world. The IBBR CUB CAM will provide a valuable tool in our continuing efforts to share knowledge and educate the world regarding the rehabilitation and release of bears, the habitat needs of bears, and how others can get involved helping to protect bears and their environment. By upgrading our current remote camera recording system, we will have the tools needed to: share live video feed on our website; webcast educational presentations using live video feed; and record quality video which can be shared via our website, Facebook, during in-person community events and seminars, and through direct distribution to requesting organizations. The cost of upgrading the current system is approximately $14,804.00. The remaining $2196.00 is budgeted for video production, mailings, and printed notice about the opportunity to utilize the "IBBR CUB CAM." If you would like to help us with the IBBR CUB CAM project, please email info@bearrehab.org.
Bearly Spring R&R
As part of our efforts to continue to affect positive change in the lives of individual bears and world-wide bear populations, we are starting our Second annual Bearly Spring R&R (release and repair J) campaign which will focus on IBBR's current cubs getting ready for their release in the next few months. We're asking for your help and support in getting our current cubs, Kapalua and Hewech back home for release and their second chance at freedom. Costs associated with the release of Kapalua and Hewech are currently projected at $750.00 for each cub. This includes getting our transport truck ready for travel, round-trip fuel costs – over 1200 miles round trip (Oregon and Utah cubs), possibly two nights of lodging for transport team (hrs of driving time and bear care – need some rest), and bless their hearts, some repairs to the enclosures from Kapaula's and Hewech's mischievous bear activities J Sally knows that these cubs want to leave their IBBR surroundings even better for the next group of orphans, so they've included some small improvements ideas for keeping the next group dry, warm & cozy. Please contact us at info@bearrehab.org if you would like to contribute to this year's Bearly Spring R&R campaign.
Thank you,
Valerie
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