“Are You BearWise?”
The Highlands Biological Foundation continues its 2025 Zahner Conservation Lecture Series with an engaging and timely presentation by Tanya Poole, Conservation Initiatives Engagement Coordinator for the NC Wildlife Resources Commission.
The lecture, titled “Are You BearWise?”, will be held on Thursday, June 19 at 6 p.m. at the Highlands Nature Center and is free and open to the public. Following the lecture, attendees will have the opportunity to enjoy a small reception.
As spring transitions into summer, more people are venturing outdoors to enjoy the beauty of the mountains, and black bears are doing the same. Western North Carolina is home to a thriving black bear population, and as their range overlaps increasingly with human communities, it’s more important than ever to learn how to coexist safely and responsibly.
Poole will share expert insights into what is driving the success of black bears in the region and how humans can reduce negative interactions by following BearWise strategies. BearWise is a nationally recognized program developed by wildlife agencies to help people live more harmoniously with bears through simple, science-based practices.
Poole serves as the Conservation Initiatives Engagement Coordinator with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission and is the state Project WILD Coordinator. She has supported educators and conservation efforts across North Carolina for over 21 years.
She holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education with a minor in Biology from Western Carolina University, as well as a Master of Science in Environmental Education from Montreat College.
This program is sponsored by Karen Patterson.
The Zahner Conservation Lecture Series is a summer tradition in Highlands, bringing together leading scientists, conservationists, and nature advocates to share their knowledge and passion with the public. Lectures are held every Thursday evening at 6 p.m. from June 12 through Aug.14 (excluding July 3rd) at the Highlands Nature Center (930 Horse Cove Road).
To see the full schedule of upcoming lectures, visit www.highlandsbiological.org/zahner.
The Highlands Nature Center is part of the Highlands Biological Station, a multi-campus center of Western Carolina University.