|
Minutes
North Cascades Grizzly Bear Subcommittee Meeting
April 10, 2007
Mill Creek, Washington
Skagit Environmental Endowment Council (SEEC) Update
SEEC funding is being used to bring the Grizzly Bear Outreach Program (GBOP) into British Columbia, Canada.
Grizzly Bear Outreach Program Update – Chris Morgan, Jim Davis, Rick Hartley, Dennis Ryan, Julie Hayes, Nan Laney
Chris passed out a handout with details of the latest meetings, community events, slideshows, media contributions, bear box, and Bear Smart program statistics. The program continues to expand with new staff in the Issaquah/Cle Elum and Leavenworth communities. Chris hopes to find out in the next couple of weeks if the proposed state funding of GBOP from the Washington legislature is available.
Jim Davis talked about GBOP’s expansion into British Columbia, Canada. The program covers the area from Hope to Caromeas along Highway 3. To date they have put together a steering committee which includes staff from the local Parks Department, a local mayor, and First Nations representatives. They have started the 1:1 meetings and kitchen meetings in the communities, and a Bear Aware program. Jim mentioned that since the public has been dealing with grizzly bear issues for many years already, they are more interested in the health of their existing grizzly bear populations than emphasizing recovery of grizzly bears in general. GBOP hopes to resurrect the liaison committee that was put on hold by the Minister of the Environment when he decided to suspend activities related to augmentation of grizzly bears into the British Columbia portion of the North Cascades Ecosystem.
Nan Laney said that she is now covering Snohomish County along with Skagit and Whatcom Counties. She initiated a Bear Smart poster contest in the schools of Skagit County that was a great success. Many prizes were awarded to some excellent entries.
Dennis Ryan discussed his latest work within Chelan County. He has been asked to return to Chelan County Parks to give presentations on grizzly bears, and is also working with the Backcountry Horsemen in the area to disseminate grizzly bear information. He is getting a positive reception for his work in the county.
Rick Hartley and Julie Hayes discussed the initiation of GBOP in the Leavenworth, Cle Elum and Issaquah communities. Both feel that they are making excellent contacts to start one-on-one programs and work within the schools.
Information/Education Assignment from IGBC – Doug Zimmer
Doug discussed an IGBC assignment for each I/E Chair from all Subcommittees to submit names of Public Information Officers from each agency represented in each Subcommittee to serve on the IGBC I/E Subcommittee.
Next Meeting
The next meeting will be held on September 27, 2007, in Wenatchee.
|
