Thu, Apr 25
|Zoom and Facebook Live
Living with Bears in the Susitna Watershed
n the summer of 2001, at least 6 bears met their demise after bear-human clashes, and at least one tourist was charged and severely frightened by a bear while walking in downtown Talkeetna. A group of motivated Talkeetna residents, led by Diane and Brian Okonek, formed the Bear Necessities Coalitio
Time & Location
Apr 25, 2024, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Zoom and Facebook Live
About the event
In the summer of 2001, at least 6 bears met their demise after bear-human clashes, and at least one tourist was charged and severely frightened by a bear while walking in downtown Talkeetna.
A group of motivated Talkeetna residents, led by Diane and Brian Okonek, formed the Bear Necessities Coalition to change the dynamic of food-conditioned bears in the area.
Talkeetna is naturally prone to attract bears. Unsecured garbage produced by tourism and a growing population contributed to these issues. The BNC advanced a campaign of Bear Education in the community and obtained a grant for bear proof trash receptacles that were distributed to businesses in town. Talkeetna grew safer again for humans and bears.
Fast forward to the summer of 2023 marked an increase once again in bears killed in defense of life or property (DLP). Our population has grown markedly since 2001 and the Bear Necessities Coalition is here to engage with our community and reinvigorate our steps in Keeping Bears Wild and People Safe. Join us!