Living with Bears – Recent news headlines have created fear and panic  …you may wonder: Is it safe to have bears living among us?  Why is it that other communities seem to live more peacefully with bears, but not Connecticut? In this presentation, we will look at the sources of bear-human conflicts in Connecticut, and cover practical and effective solutions to those problems. You will also hear about communities that have adopted “Bear Smart” programs and see how successful they have been. Common pitfalls and misconceptions about bears will also be covered, along with fascinating aspects of their natural history.

Presenters:

Laura Simon is a Wildlife Ecologist who specializes in helping communities resolve problems with wildlife. She is also the president of the Connecticut Wildlife Rehabilitators Association and previously, the wildlife ecologist for the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS). She has lectured all over the country on various urban wildlife topics, ranging from how to stop beaver-caused flooding to how to prevent problematic interactions with bears and coyotes. Laura’s work with wildlife has been featured on the Ellen DeGeneres show, the New York Times, NPR and other national media. Laura graduated from the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies with a Master’s Degree in Environmental Management.  

Annie Hornish is the Connecticut State Director and lobbyist for The Humane Society of the United States and a former Connecticut state representative for the 62nd district (2009-10), where she served as Co-Chair of the Rural Caucus and Co-founded the bipartisan Animal Advocacy Caucus. Annie and her husband Neil are owners of certified-organic Evergreen Farm in Suffield. She holds a Bachelor of Science from UConn’s College of Agriculture, a certification in cytotechnology, and a Master of Business Administration. 

Registration is required for this in-person event.