DEC Announces Partnership with BearWise Campaign
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation sent this bulletin on 06/22/2023 11:11 AM EDTDEC Delivers - Information to keep you connected and informed from the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation |
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DEC Announces Partnership with BearWise Campaign |
Campaign Will Help New Yorkers Live Responsibly with Black BearsNew York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos today announced that DEC is joining the BearWise campaign as a cooperative member state. BearWise was developed by biologists from state conservation agencies across the U.S. to ensure people, regardless of location, learn to live responsibly with bears. Using the "BearWise basics," residents are encouraged to take simple steps at home or when recreating outdoors to avoid negative interactions with black bears. "DEC biologists and technicians respond to hundreds of human-bear conflicts each year that are nearly all preventable," Commissioner Seggos said. "As New Yorkers head into the summer months, which is a busy time for bears, DEC encourages the public to practice the BearWise basics by removing things bears find attractive like pet food and trash to help reduce the potential for negative interactions." Black bears are most active throughout the spring and summer months and can be attracted to human-created food sources, especially during dry weather periods when natural food sources are scarce. The BearWise campaign recommends people take six basic steps to avoid attracting bears to areas around homes or neighborhoods:
BearWise also recommends six basics when recreating or vacationing in bear country:
For more information on how to live responsibly with black bears and how to be BearWise, visit DEC's webpage or the BearWise website. WATCH DEC's videos 'Bears in the Backyard' and 'Camping With Bears'. |