Would you like to learn more about how to co-exist safely with the bears in your neighborhood?
What to do if you see one?
The new bear-related ordinances in Highlands?
If so, join BEAR Task Force, Highlands Mayor Patrick Taylor, and NC Wildlife BearWise Committee for a look at black bears and the challenges of coexisting with these North Carolina treasures.
The program will take place at 5 p.m. on Sunday May 2. It will be held by Zoom or phone and is open to the public. To participate call 929-205-6099 to join Zoom, then enter the password 943 9820 0305.
Spring is a busy time for bear activity and sightings of black bears are being reported on a regular basis in and around Highlands. The bears have come out of hibernation and are hungry.
Ashley Hobbs, with NC Wildlife Resources Commission, will discuss these issues and the new BearWise initiative, which provides ways to prevent conflicts, provides resources to resolve problems, and encourages community initiatives to keep bears wild.
In an attempt to get Highlands certified as a BearWise Community, the town and the community must follow certain practices. Many are now in place, thanks to actions of the Highlands town council.
Mayor Patrick Taylor will discuss the new practices and ordinances that have already proven very effective at reducing human-bear conflicts, including the town’s mandate that all trash cans be bear-resistant and all household garbage be placed inside the bear-resistant container.
A question and answer session will be held after the presentation.
For more information, e-mail Ashley.hobbs@ncwildlife,org.