Show You Care: Join Bear Aware!

courtesy of the Colorado Division of Wildlife

The Colorado Division of Wildlife is seeking dedicated and enthusiastic volunteers who are passionate about helping others live responsibly with wildlife to join our volunteer Bear Aware Teams.

If you:
–Have excellent communication skills
–Are passionate about wildlife and enjoy educating others
–Are engaged with your community, and
–Believe in the Division’s wildlife management mission

Then this volunteer opportunity is perfect for you! Join our Bear Aware Team and be a voice for wildlife.

As the human population in the Front Range continues to grow, so too, do the conflicts between people and wildlife. Many of these issues could be avoided if people take the simple, common-sense steps to minimize potential conflicts with wildlife. Bear Aware volunteers assist their District Wildlife Manager in educating community members on how to co-exist with bears and other wildlife. Specifically, volunteers may be asked to canvas neighborhoods, speak to individuals one-on-one, help prepare mailings, place temporary signs in neighborhoods or parks, staff booths at community events or festivals and assist with other public outreach opportunities.

Volunteers are particularly needed in the Douglas County communities of Sedalia, Larkspur and west of Castle Rock, in southwest Littleton, and the mountain communities west of Boulder, Longmont and Loveland, including Clear Creek Canyon. Volunteers must also be willing to travel to the local communities where help is needed. Ideally, team members should have flexible availability.

Training is mandatory for new volunteers. For interested people living in metro/south Denver and the Evergreen area, Bear Aware training is scheduled for April 2, 2011 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Evergreen. For interested volunteers in the Boulder/Longmont/Loveland area, training is scheduled for April 9, 2011 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Loveland.

WHO: Colorado citizens who are passionate about our bears

WHAT: Bear Aware volunteer training

WHEN/WHERE: April 2, 9 am to 5 pm in Evergreen; April 9, 9 am to 5 pm in Loveland

CONTACT: Mary McCormac, Northeast Region education coordinator, at 303-291-7328 or mary.mccormac@state.co.us by March 25.