BUNCOMBE COUNTY, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Black bears have become an increasingly common sight among Western North Carolina neighborhoods as urban sprawl encroaches more and more on their natural habitat. There’s never been a better time than now to learn how to responsibly coexist with our wild counterparts.

A public meeting in Black Mountain, set for Wednesday, Aug. 28, will go over best practices for living among the bears. A bear biologist with N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) will discuss the natural history of black bears in the region as well as the following topics:

  • Bear behavior and biology in North Carolina.
  • The BearWise initiative, which provides ways to prevent conflicts, provides resources to resolve problems, and encourages community initiatives to keep bears wild.
  • What to do in a bear encounter.
  • A question-and-answer session will follow the presentation.

The meeting will take place on Wednesday at the Town Council Chambers at Black Mountain Town Hall, located at 160 Midland Avenue, at 6 p.m.

One subject on the meeting’s agenda, the BearWise initiative, has taken off in the state in recent years. BearWise is an outreach program that provides science-based resources and information on how to live responsibly with American black bears. The program encourages individuals, businesses and communities to do their best to avoid conflicts with bears.

In North Carolina, there’s also a BearWise recognition program for communities that collectively agree to follow the BearWise Basics. NCWRC staff work with community members to develop and adopt a customized plan. They examine current practices by the community, identify bear attractants and propose actions to secure them. NCWRC staff then help communities develop a committee of volunteer residents to promote the BearWise practices and track bear activity.

NCWRC recently announced Swannanoa’s Craggy View Cottages had received recognition for becoming a BearWise community — the seventh group to receive this recognition in North Carolina since the program began in late 2019.

“When community-wide efforts are made to follow the six BearWise Basics, it keeps black bears wild and people safe,” NCWRC BearWise Coordinator Ashley Hobbs said in a previous press release.

The six at-home BearWise Basics include:

Never feed or approach bears

Intentionally feeding bears or allowing them to find anything that smells or tastes like food teaches bears to approach homes and people looking for more. Bears will defend themselves if a person gets too close, so don’t risk your safety and theirs!

Secure food, garbage and recycling

Food and food odors attract bears, so don’t reward them with easily available food, liquids or garbage.

Remove bird feeders when bears are active

Birdseed and grains have lots of calories, so they’re very attractive to bears. Removing feeders is the best way to avoid creating conflicts with bears.

Never leave pet food outdoors

Feed pets indoors when possible. If you must feed pets outside, feed in single portions and remove food and bowls after feeding. Store pet food where bears can’t see or smell it.

Clean and store grills, smokers

Clean grills after each use and make sure that all grease, fat and food particles are removed. Store clean grills and smokers in a secure area that keeps bears out.

Alert neighbors to bear activity

See bears in the area or evidence of bear activity? Tell your neighbors and share info on how to avoid conflicts with bears. Bears have adapted to living near people; now it’s up to us to adapt to living near bears.

CLICK HERE to learn more about BearWise. Details on Wednesday’s meeting:

  • What: Coexisting with Black Bears Public Meeting
  • When: Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024, 6 p.m.
  • Where: Town Hall Council Chambers, 160 Midland Ave., Black Mountain, NC 28711