Reminder: First of two Bear Management Plan webinars this week

For immediate release: Oct. 21, 2019
Media contacts: Carli Segelson, 772-215-9459                            

Photos: https://www.flickr.com/gp/myfwcmedia/FA6v41

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Reminder: First of two Bear Management Plan webinars this week

This week, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is holding the first of two webinars to discuss draft updates to the state’s Florida Black Bear Management Plan.

The first webinar will be held Thursday, Oct. 24 and the second webinar will be held Tuesday, Oct. 29, both from 6 to 8 p.m. (ET). These webinars will include a brief presentation on the major draft changes to the plan as well as an opportunity for participants to submit questions to the webinar host. If people would like to provide feedback on the plan, they can do so by completing an online survey at MyFWC.com/Bear through Nov. 6.

To participate in a webinar, go to Meetingone.AdobeConnect.com/FWC. Enter your name, click “Enter Room” and select “Open in Browser.” You will then be asked how you want to listen to the presentation and be provided multiple options. For those who do not have access to a computer, you can listen to the presentation by calling 800-832-0736 and dialing 1781354 when prompted.

If you are not able to attend a webinar via the internet or by phone, limited viewing space will be made available at three FWC offices:

• Tallahassee – 620 S. Meridian St., Bryant Building, Room 272
• Ocala – 1239 SW 10^th, Northeast Regional Office
• West Palm Beach – 8535 Northlake Blvd., South Regional Office

The original Florida Black Bear Management Plan was created in 2012 to provide a statewide framework for actions needed to ensure the long-term survival of bears and address bear management challenges.

The draft updates to the original plan include new data, an expansion of the Bear Management Unit Profiles and a new section on population management techniques. A summary of the major updates is available on the FWC website at MyFWC.com/Bear.

At the December 2019 FWC Commission meeting in Panama City Beach, staff will present Commissioners with a summary of significant updates to the plan and a summary of public input. Once approved by the Commissioners, the FWC will begin using the plan to guide bear management for the next 10 years.

A draft of the updated plan, summary of the significant updates and frequently asked questions about the draft update are available at MyFWC.com/Bear. 

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