2) give bears a break
Native Tahoe Black Bears have lived in the Sierra Nevada mountain range (that includes the Tahoe watershed), for 1,000's of years. The indigenous Washoe people did not hunt these Bears, nor build homes in areas where they had dens, so Tahoe bears are not so afraid of people - but that is changing. Modern culture has occupied Tahoe without consideration of native habitat, corridors and geographical relationships (like marshes and meadows). And with 30M annual visitors, many are surprised when a bear; moves thru their yard, crosses the hwy, fishes in a creeks or is swimming in the Lake. So our Tahoe Bears are under constant threat of being killed (many are killed), wounded or traumatized. But with a small effort of mindfulness, YOU can help these beautiful, gentle giants from being pushed into greater states of fear, which never ends well for anyone.
1. Drive slow, as wildlife spontaneously cross streets and highway without warning
2. Never leave food or trash unattended or easy to access. As native forging grounds shrink, bears move to urban areas
3. Show respect: If you see a bear move away and give them space
4. Add a Wildlife Habitat sign to your bear box or car to increase awareness.
Taylor Creek Bear protection ideas:
1. Alter the perception from a Bear problem to a People Problem
2. Model: The Wildlife Animal Sanctuary, https://www.wildanimalsanctuary.org/ in Colorado, constructing elevated walkways in sensitive areas that control human traffic.
3. Providing hosted tours during peak periods by trained and paid Bear docents who have the ability to connect to law enforce for safety violations.
4. Cameras, controlled by motion sensors and remotely monitored, in the sensitive areas to record encounters.
5. Formalize an Alliance between USFS, Fish-Game, Bear League, No Bear Hunt, Neighborhood Groups, Sustain Tahoe and any other relevant group involved and/or supporting peaceful wildlife co-habitation
6. Ensure there is no permission to trap or harm bears in their native feeding habitat areas, ie. creeks/corridors
1. Drive slow, as wildlife spontaneously cross streets and highway without warning
2. Never leave food or trash unattended or easy to access. As native forging grounds shrink, bears move to urban areas
3. Show respect: If you see a bear move away and give them space
4. Add a Wildlife Habitat sign to your bear box or car to increase awareness.
Taylor Creek Bear protection ideas:
1. Alter the perception from a Bear problem to a People Problem
2. Model: The Wildlife Animal Sanctuary, https://www.wildanimalsanctuary.org/ in Colorado, constructing elevated walkways in sensitive areas that control human traffic.
3. Providing hosted tours during peak periods by trained and paid Bear docents who have the ability to connect to law enforce for safety violations.
4. Cameras, controlled by motion sensors and remotely monitored, in the sensitive areas to record encounters.
5. Formalize an Alliance between USFS, Fish-Game, Bear League, No Bear Hunt, Neighborhood Groups, Sustain Tahoe and any other relevant group involved and/or supporting peaceful wildlife co-habitation
6. Ensure there is no permission to trap or harm bears in their native feeding habitat areas, ie. creeks/corridors
Wildlife SIGN PROCEEDS SUPPORT OUR Corridor Protection Proposal
BEAR SITUATION
- Wildlife gets blamed and killed for human error, behavior and activity. Wildlife abuse, trapping, hunting and misunderstanding is escalating negative encounters. Many are not even aware Tahoe is home to numerous species, who now require protection as human development redefines their habitat.
- When visitors site bear feeding at Taylor Creek, they flock to take photos without proper guidance. This disturbs feeding bear families adding negative encounters.
- Wildlife habitat continues to be invaded by development and recreation, pushing wildlife into urban areas where they smell and seek food to survive.
- 2010 Lake Tahoe Prosperity Plan highlighted the need for Sustainable Tourism activities to preserve natural assets while attracting new visitors and building long term prosperity. Wildlife viewing falls into this category.
- Travelers spend $MILLIONS for the opportunity to see a Bear in the wild. British Columbia, Alaska and Wyoming generate revenues over $70M annually.
- Since bears are most active in fall, a formalized Wildlife Viewing Program, guided by bear docents would attract visitors in an off-season without having to discount lodging.
- Define and label Riparian Right-Of-Ways along all creek corridors throughout the watershed including easement that allow wildlife to navigate safely from mountains to Lake. Additional culverts at active corridor sites may be required to limit dangerous street crossings. Wild-food planting excursions might also be reviewed as a volunteer/visitor opportunity to restore native bear habitat in areas away from human development
- Once corridors are established, guided viewing stations can be created in appropriate areas along corridors with online calendar so visitors could sign up for specific tours.
- Visitors have memories while becoming stewards
- Resorts have shoulder season revenue
- Bears/all wildlife have safe passage in their homeland-habitat
