ABOUT BEAR SMART DURANGO In spring of 2003, a series of roundtable meetings was convened that started a dialogue between government officials and agencies, waste providers, bear experts, wildlife officers and concerned citizens that had a direct experience or shared a concern with conflicts between bears and residents. Out of these meetings a core group of volunteers began implementing initiatives suggested by the roundtable, and Bear Smart Durango was formed. MISSION     ^back to top The mission of Bear Smart Durango, a volunteer organization, is to reduce human and bear conflict in Durango and the surrounding area, mainly by eliminating human food sources that attract bears. Bear Smart Durango, believes that bear and human conflict in Durango has as much to do with the behavior of people as it does with bears and that people and bears can safely co-exist. We feel that it is our responsibility as residents, who choose to live with wildlife, to do so. Our efforts are aimed, not only at protecting the lives of bears but creating a safer environment for community members who live or recreate in bear country. WHAT'S BEEN DONE     ^back to top Collaborated with the City on the City Bear Survey READ THE SURVEY RESULTS Worked with the City on proclaiming "Be Bear Smart Week" READ THE CITY COUNCIL PROCLAMATION 15 week Durango Herald bear Q & A column written mainly by retired black bear biologist Tom Beck Collaborated with the City on a bear and trash video Worked with the City of Durango to obtain bear-proof containers for residents and city parks Initiated a volunteer program for informational material distribution in bear conflict areas Collaborated with the DOW on a bear presentation Provided bear-proof container outreach to residents Initiated a local bear media campaign (print, radio and TV) that increased public awareness of bears and coexisting with bears Elementary educational outreach WHAT'S IN THE WORKS     ^back to top Expanded volunteer programs and neighborhood trash patrols An informational 3-ring binder on bears and avoiding conflict Tracking bear complaint calls to better measure effectiveness of educational efforts Informational materials for homeowners' associations and newcomer packets for the chamber association Examining bear-attractant laws, possible new bylaws or city ordinances, bear deterrent methods, non-lethal bear management practices among wildlife managers and developmental codes to include bear-proof considerations WHO WE ARE     ^back to top BOARD OF DIRECTORS Brad Benz Andrea Birkby Aran Johnson Laine Johnson Diana Lopez Sheila Thompson DIRECTOR/STAFF Bryan Peterson BEAR BEHAVIOR AND BEARSMART ADVISORS Tom Beck, Retired DOW Black Bear Researcher has over 25 years of bear behavior and ecology experience. Tom and his wife Sandy live in nearby Dolores, CO. Lynn Rogers, is Director of the Ely, MN based Wildlife Research Institute and was previously a wildlife research biologist with the U.S.Forest Service. This effort in Durango would never have happened without the guidance, expertise and efforts of Laurie Smith & Tina White from The Town of Snowmass Village Animal Services, Brian Flynn of the City of Aspen and local retired black bear biologist Tom Beck. CONTACT US     ^back to top Bear Smart Durango P.O. Box 2291 Durango, Colorado 81302 (970) 749-4262 bp@frontier.net PARTNERS     ^back to top City of Durango La Plata County Government Town of Snowmass Village Phoenix Recycling Transit Waste Waste Management Wildlife Research Institute Center for Wildlife Information Get Bear Smart Society Living With Wildlife Foundation Vital Ground Foundation Tahoe Council For Wild Bears Sandia Mountain Bear Watch Durango Nature Studies BearProof, Inc. UnBearable Bins, Inc. Solid Waste Systems, Inc. Colorado Division of Wildlife Urban Interface Task Force U.S. Forest Service Bureau of Land Management TOP PHOTO BY NEEDHAM ELEMENTARY ENVIRONMENTAL CLUB ^back to top