Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee
www.IGBConline.org

Education and Information

“Bear education outreach booth at 2009 Idaho Outfitters & Guides Association Conference in Boise, Idaho / December 2009”

The Good, the Bad, and the Grizzly
Video: Full Episode (Nature Series courtesy of PBS)

After a decades-long comeback, the grizzly bears of Yellowstone National Park appear to be thriving. Should they now be removed from the protection of the Endangered Species Act? This question has provoked one of the most emotionally charged wildlife controversies in America today.

January 7, 2008

BYU-I STUDENTS COME UP WITH A BEAR OF A PLAN

Ryan Worthen

REXBURG – It’s no secret that this was the summer of the bear for most of the western United States.  In the Upper Snake Region of Idaho this meant just not increased black bear activity, but more incidents involving Yellowstone Ecosystem grizzly bears just recently removed from the Endangered Species list last April.  While no humans were killed, some injuries did occur and problem bears had to be either trapped and moved or even killed.  When Brigham Young University -Idaho (BYU-I) Professor Ward Hicks was looking for a topic that his public relations classes could focus on, reducing conflicts between bears and humans seemed like something that students could work on that would relate to the real world just beyond their campus.

Mark Tensmeyer

Early in the fall, when hunting season were just getting underway, students in Hicks classes found themselves hunting for ideas on ways to build an outreach program that could actually reach the public.  To get the students started, Gregg Losinski, Regional Conservation Educator for the Idaho Department of Fish & Game in the Upper Snake Region spoke to the classes about bear biology and ongoing public outreach and education efforts.  When it comes to educating the public about bears, Losinski knows his stuff. For the last eight years he has led the Information & Education Subcommittee of the multi-agency group responsible for recovery and delisting of the grizzly bear in the Yellowstone Ecosystem.  Losinski has also been a strong proponent of involving Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in education and outreach efforts. “These same groups might sue us over grizzly delisting; but no one wants to see humans injured or killed and grizzlies are a precious resource that requires wise management.” said Losinski.

Tyler Inkley (foreground) and Ben Jenkins (background)

Getting BYU-I students involved was another example of thinking outside the box. According to Losinski, “Sometimes those of us who are close to the problem can’t see obvious solutions. Bringing in someone with a totally fresh perspective can really help.” One example of this fresh perspective is BYU-I student Tamsyn Binedell of South Africa, “I really enjoyed learning about bears and had no idea they were so close to us here. It was really lots of fun coming up with ideas on ways to help both people and bears.” And when it came to coming up with ideas the students were creative. “Twelve teams presented twelve different plans, none where alike, and all had some facet that we will actually be able to hit the ground running and implement for next year.” said Losinski. “Because the students had to make real world contacts to validate if their ideas would work, lots of local folks got energized by the students’ enthusiasm.” said Losinski.  Some of the ideas included detailed plans for developing community events that would serve to promote bear education and safety and produce revenue to help the local community institute bear smart programs such as purchasing bear resistant garbage cans.

“It was fantastic to see the wide range of ideas that these students came up with to keep people safe and bears out of trouble” said Losinski. Not only is IDFG going to carry forward with many of the ideas generated by these public relations plans, but some of the students are enrolled in a media campaigns course next semester that focuses on taking such plans and making them a reality. “When they take an idea from the classroom and see it work in the real world, that’s what education is all about!” said Losinski.

Not your average bear Grizzly that mauled Tetonia man on display By HEATHER WELLS Garbage Cans Designed to Keep Bears Out Aug 7, 2007 11:09 PM By Krystale Noriega