Wildlife
Conference Abstract, February 2004
The Grizzly Bear Outreach Project:
Promoting knowledge of grizzly bears among recovery zone residents in
Washington’s North Cascades
C.
Morgan,
J. Davis, N. Laney,
T. Ford.
Abstract:
Over
the last two hundred years, the number of grizzly bears (Ursus arctos)
in the coterminous USA has declined from an estimated 50,000-100,000
individuals to around 1100. The grizzly bear was listed as a threatened
species by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) in 1975 and six recovery
ecosystems have been established since that time. The NCE is the largest
grizzly bear recovery ecosystem encompassing approximately 24,800 km² in
North Central Washington. The
ecosystem extends for an additional 10,350 km² in south-central BC, Canada
(Gaines et al. 2000).
The
current population estimate for the Washington NCE is <20
individuals (Gaines et al. 2001). Observations
and verified grizzly bear sign are very rare. Local residents have not
co-existed with a significant grizzly bear population for many decades and
public knowledge of grizzly bears is therefore limited.
Despite general support for grizzly bear recovery
in Washington (Duda et al. 1996), segments of the human population in or near
the NCE oppose recovery. In order
for residents to make well-informed comments that reflect their opinions on
grizzly bear recovery, perceptions and attitudes towards bears must be based
upon accurate information. Agencies responsible for recovery in the NCE are
keen to identify more effective public outreach strategies to overcome
widespread misconceptions about grizzlies.
The Grizzly Bear Outreach Project (GBOP)
began in April 2002 as an
extension of past recovery-based education activities in the NCE. The GBOP provides factual information about grizzly bear
ecology and behavior, sanitation and safety in bear country, and policies
associated with the recovery process. The project engages community members in
a process of education and rational, multi party dialogue that targets people
living, recreating, and working in the NCE. It provides a non-advocacy setting
for the involvement of all stakeholder groups.
The approach includes:
1) Community perceptions
analyses to assess the knowledge and attitudes of community members prior to
implementing education components. Analyses include qualitative interviews
with representatives of various stakeholder groups (ranchers, timber industry
workers, realtors, media, outfitters, guides, wildlife agency staff,
recreationists, orchard owners, owners of recreation businesses, health
professionals, teachers, school administrators, and community organization
leaders), and quantitative baseline and follow-up telephone surveys with
randomly selected NCE residents; 2) One-on-one meetings between project staff
and community members to gauge concerns and share project information; 3)
Small focus group meetings to discuss grizzly bear issues with 4–6 people at
a time in informal settings; 4) A coalition of community members to provide a
local information source and extend the reach of project staff; 5) A project
brochure containing information about grizzly bear ecology, and sanitation and
safety tips for the home, ranch, and campsite, in addition to hiking, horse
packing, hunting, fishing, and community; 6) A project website
(www.bearinfo.org) to facilitate distribution of project announcements,
updates, and links to other relevant sites, and solicitation of anonymous
comments from the public; 7) A modular slide show paralleling the content of
the brochure.
The
project was initiated in Okanogan County (north eastern NCE) by 2 small
non-government organizations. Funding was provided by 2 non-government
conservation organizations and 5 government agencies. The 2 GBOP directors
(each 25% time, salaried) hired a local field coordinator (at ¾ of full time)
to target 9 Okanogan County communities in and adjacent to the recovery area.
The project expanded to include Whatcom and Skagit counties (north western
NCE) in September 2003. This
expansion required a second salaried field coordinator (at ½ of full time)
and a focus on 10 additional communities.
One
hundred thirty qualitative community assessment interviews were conducted
Okanogan and Skagit Counties. Most participants in these interviews expressed
an interest in having greater access to accurate information. In October 2003,
a telephone survey of 508 randomly selected
rural Whatcom and Skagit county residents (living in or adjacent to the
recovery area) was conducted as part of a comprehensive baseline and follow up
evaluation process. The survey consisted of 50 questions concerning knowledge
of, and attitudes towards grizzly bears. Results revealed that 69%
had heard little/nothing about grizzly bear recovery in the NCE; 65% knew that
grizzly bears were ‘rare’ in the NCE; 50% thought (incorrectly) that
vegetation comprises 50% or more of typical diet; 31% believed (incorrectly)
it is legal to kill a grizzly bear in defense of livestock; 73% obtain most
information about grizzly bears from newspapers, magazines, TV and films; 36%
agreed that ‘grizzly bears are very dangerous to humans’ (56% disagreed);
76% of respondents supported recovery (52% strong support, 24% moderate
support), while 16% opposed recovery (11% moderately, 5% strongly). Thirty
three percent would be more supportive of recovery if the population was
augmented with 5-10 bears, and 72% agreed that local citizens will be willing
to work with wildlife management agencies to determine the best recovery
steps. Initial assessment of demographic data reveals stronger support for
recovery among females, young, and wilderness recreators.
More than 200 one-on-one meetings have been conducted with stakeholders
in the three counties. This work confirms general support for recovery but
limited knowledge of ecology and recovery processes. A coalition was
established in the north eastern NCE with 5 initial members. Coalition members
are currently being recruited in the north western NCE. Approximately
40 slide presentations have been delivered to audiences including the
Washington Outfitters and Guides Association, community associations (e.g.
Elks, Kiwanis), community colleges, outdoor recreation groups, conservancy
organizations, schools, and agency workshops. Fifty thousand tri-fold
brochures were printed in October 2002. Approximately 30,000 have been
distributed to outlets including supporters in local communities; schools and
youth organizations; churches; tourism business owners; stores; community
visitor centers; wildlife Agency visitor centers and ranger stations; and at
group presentations and community events. The project web site
(www.bearinfo.org) has served approximately 6,000 visitors since late
September 2002. Personal meetings with members of local media outlets have
resulted in approximately 30 newspaper articles. North eastern NCE project
activities halted in February 2003 and will be reinstated in March 2004.
Many wildlife research, conservation, and management projects lack
mechanisms to promote meaningful engagement with the public.
Our initial work suggests that the public seeks such engagement. Participant comments also suggest that early communication
can help alleviate concerns regarding recovery activities.
This may be especially true when dealing with listed species and the
complex biological, social, and political elements that can emerge.
Almack,
J.A., W.L. Gaines, R.H. Naney, P.H. Morrison, J.R. Eby, G.F. Wooten, M.C.
Snyder, S.H. Fitkin, and E.R. Garcia. 1993. North Cascades grizzly bear ecosystem evaluation:
Final report. Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee, Denver, Colorado, USA.
Bjorkland,
J. 1980.
Historical and recent grizzly bear sightings in the North Cascades.
Miscellaneous Research Paper NCT-13, U.S. Department of the Interior,
National Park Service, North Cascades National Park Complex, Sedro-Woolley,
Washington, USA.
Duda,
M.D., K.C. Young, T.E. Graham, R.S. Sipes, and S.J. Bissel.
1996. Washington
residents’ opinions on grizzly bear recovery in the North Cascades
Mountains. Responsive Management,
Harrisonburg, Virginia, USA.
Gaines,
W.L., W.O. Noble, and R.H. Naney. 2001.
Grizzly bear recovery in the North Cascades Ecosystem.
Western Black Bear Workshop 7:57–62.
______,
P. Singleton, and A.L. Gold. 2000. Conservation of rare carnivores in the North Cascades
Ecosystem, western North America. Natural
Areas Journal 20:366–375.
Sullivan,
P.T. 1983.
A preliminary study of historic and recent reports of grizzly bears in
the North Cascades area of Washington. Washington
Department of Game, Olympia, Washington, USA.
