Get Bear Smart works to minimize the number of bears killed due to human-bear conflicts, and to keep people and property safe.
We do this by helping people learn about bears, how to prevent conflicts, and how to leverage individual actions into community-wide efforts to become Bear Smart Communities.
What “Bear Smart” Means for One Community
The small town of Virginia City used to have black bears walking up and down Main Street, knocking over garbage cans in search of food. With grizzly bears getting closer to town, too, they decided it was time to get Bear Smart and make their town a safe place for people and bears. Watch the video to learn more.
Do Your Part to Get Bear Smart…
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At Home
The first rule of being Bear Smart is to not attract bears. This starts at home by securing attractants like garbage, birdseed, fruit trees, and pet food.
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Outside
Seeing a bear when you’re out hiking, biking, or camping can enhance your outdoor experience. Knowing what to do if you encounter a bear will keep you and the bear safe.
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At Work
When working in bear country—running a restaurant, drilling for oil, running a ranch, or building a house—how you operate makes a difference for keeping people and bears safe. You can make your workplace safe for people and bears.
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In Your Community
The Bear Smart Community model provides guidance on how to reduce human-bear conflicts for community members and their towns, cities, subdivisions and HOAs, resorts, or other groups.