How to Prevent Wildlife Conflicts, a free family-friendly community workshop

Free, Family-Friendly Wildlife Workshop Set for Naples on Saturday, Nov. 21

VERO BEACH, Fla. – Several conservation agencies are sponsoring a free public workshop designed to help Floridians learn to prevent and live with wildlife conflicts—primarily focused on black bears and Florida panthers. 

 “With increasing populations of bears and panthers, we’re seeing an increase in human interactions,” said Jennifer Korn of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).  “We’re hoping this educational workshop provides citizens with the tools and insights they need to prevent and better understand these potential interactions.”

 The workshop is set for Saturday, Nov. 21, 2015 at the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Collier County Extension Office at 14700 Immokalee Road in Naples.  There will be two identical sessions. The first session will run from 10 a.m. until noon and the second from 1-3 p.m.  Lunch and a bake sale will be available between the two sessions from noon to 1 p.m., with proceeds benefitting local 4-H clubs.

 Each session will include hands-on training and presentations on subjects including:

  Pen building (protect livestock from panthers and other animals);

• What to do if you encounter a bear, panther or coyote;
• Bear deterrence methods;
• Financial assistance programs; and
• Questions and answers with panther and bear biologists.

 

In addition, children can enjoy free games, activities and face-painting.

“This is a great opportunity for residents to meet the biologists and others working to preserve Florida’s wildlife heritage, and also learn more about living more harmoniously with the spectacular wildlife we’re privileged to have here,” said Ken Warren of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service).

Conservation partners joining with FWC and the Service to conduct these workshops include the Friends of the Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge, Big Cypress National Preserve, Audubon Florida, Defenders of Wildlife, the Conservancy of Southwest Florida, Florida Gulf Coast University’s Wings of Hope, Collier County, Florida Wildlife Federation and Florida Panther Protection Program.

For more information, call Ken Warren at (772) 643-4407 or via email at ken_warren@fws.gov.

 

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