Paws on the Ground

Protect Your Local Bears

Advocating for "Cleaned Up for the Love of Bears" in Your Local Community

Bears are amazing creatures. They are intelligent, social, and play an important role in the ecosystem. However, bears are also facing many challenges, including habitat loss, human-bear conflict, and climate change. One way to help bears is to clean up our communities. Bears are attracted to food sources, such as garbage, pet food, and bird feeders. When we clean up our communities and reduce the availability of these food sources, we can help to reduce human-bear conflict and keep bears safe.

Here are a few ways to advocate for "Cleaned Up for the Love of Bears" in your local community:

  • Get “Cleaned Up for the Love of Bears” certified and display your yard sign.

  • We have created a flyer you can use distribute bear safety tips to your neighbors and local businesses. There are two way to accomplish this:

  • Talk to your neighbors and friends. Let them know about the importance of cleaning up their yards and neighborhoods to reduce human-bear conflict. Encourage them to get “Cleaned Up For the Love of Bears” certified by securing their garbage, remove bird feeders, and pick up pet food and waste.

    • Be positive and enthusiastic. People are more likely to be receptive to your message if you are positive and passionate about the cause.

    • Be informative. Provide people with accurate information about bears, bear safety, and the importance of cleaning up their communities.

    • Be respectful. Be respectful of people's opinions and concerns, even if they don't agree with you.

    • Be persistent. Don't give up if you don't see results immediately. It takes time to change people's minds and habits.

    • By advocating for "Cleaned Up for the Love of Bears" in your local community, you can help to make a difference for these amazing creatures. Remember, every little bit helps!

  • Use social media. Share information about bear safety and "Cleaned Up for the Love of Bears" on your social media accounts and on community pages. Encourage your followers and discuss how to get involved and make a difference for bears.

  • Organize a community cleanup. Get together with your neighbors and friends to clean up a local park, trail, fruit trees, or other area where bears may be present. This is a great way to raise awareness about the issue and make a difference in your community.

  • Contact your local government officials. Let them know that you support policies and programs that promote bear safety and reduce human-bear conflict. Encourage them to invest in bear-proof garbage cans, educate the public about bear safety, and work to protect bear habitat.

By taking these steps, you can help to make your community a safer place for both bears and people.