Balanced Recovery
Ecologically and socially, the value of promoting the balanced recovery of the grizzly bear (Ursus arctos) cannot be overstated. Over the last 200 years, the distribution and number of this unique umbrella species has been reduced by 98% in the continental U.S. The North Cascades Ecosystem (NCE), which encompasses 10,000 square miles, represents the largest remaining ecosystem for the fewer than 20 grizzly bears that currently exist in the US portion of the North Cascades. Approximately the same number has survived in the contiguous southern British Columbia portion of the NCE.

TOGETHER we are making a difference. Contributors to GBOP include: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Seattle City Light Secure Rural Schools and Communities Self Determination Act of 2000 Northwest Ecosystem Alliance USDA Forest Service Defenders of Wildlife Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife U.S. National Park Service WILDTIME Foods Grizzlies Brand Grizzly Industrial Canopy YOU can make a difference. Learn about bear safety, bear identification, Bear Smart tips and more at www.bearinfo.org. Then, share tips with your community on how to live in coexistence with bears and other wildlife. LINKS: Grizzly Bear Fact Sheet

Ninety percent of the designated grizzly bear recovery area in Washington is publicly owned. Conservation in this setting provides an unparalleled opportunity for landscape level conservation and advances in public policy. A balanced understanding of grizzly bear biology, behavior, safety and population recovery process will help neutralize local concern that is often based upon inaccurate information. Public outreach minimizes human-caused mortality and promotes practical coexistence between people and bears.

The Grizzly Bear Outreach Project (GBOP)
The Grizzly Bear Outreach Project (GBOP) began work in April 2002 to accom-plish these goals. This proactive, long-term information and education program was designed to address the concerns of people who live in or near the grizzly bear recovery area in Washington by offering a local information source that is guided by people who live in North Cascades communities. The GBOP goes well beyond providing information to a passive audience. The community-based outreach strategy creates opportunities for local residents to support the project by distribut-ing brochures, delivering presentations and/or hosting kitchen meetings. Local residents are also empowered to participate in activities that increase the probability for long-term success of grizzly bear recovery by balancing the needs of bears and people. While the grizzly bear is the main focal species of the North Cascades GBOP, there is much overlap with human black bear and human cougar conflict mitigation.

The project is co-directed by bear specialist Chris Morgan (Insight Wildlife Management) and communications expert Jim Davis (Conservation Partnership Center). The northwestern NCE GBOP Field Coordinator is Nan Laney. This combination of grizzly bear ecology, communication and local wildlife issue experience is the main reason for the project’s success to date.

With support and involvement from multiple governmental and non-governmental organizations, ecologists, environmental educators and communication specialists, the GBOP works with influential community members, encourages public involvement with grizzly bear conservation, addresses public concern about recovery and produces accurate, high-quality educational materials. GBOP's methodology has been widely praised as a potential model for replication in other recovery ecosystems.

Since 2002, the project has included baseline and follow-up community perceptions and knowledge assessments, one-on-one meetings with more than 300 local community members, slide shows, distribution of 25,000 brochures and 1000 posters, newspaper articles, regular meetings with two community advisory groups, devel-opment of a school curriculum and launch of the Bear Smart Program.

Success Bites
Can You Hear Me Now? Yes! GBOP is about building trust. Despite initial skepticism from some organizations, community meetings and an open-minded approach to dialogue can succeed in neutralizing nearly all their concerns about grizzly bears and recovery.

Get Smart About Bears The Bear Smart program focuses on ways to minimize attractants that might draw bears into communities in search of food rewards. GBOP recently conducted a preliminary study, concluding that local residents are in an excellent position to prevent conflicts with bears.

Bear With Us As We Grow GBOP continues to expand year after year. In northern U.S. counties near Canada, our work is especially important considering the potential
plans for British Columbia to augment their grizzly bear population just north of the border.

Local Support For Recovery GBOP research has found the majority of people in the grizzly bear zone support recovery but want more information.

WOODLAND PARK ZOO is making a difference by supporting GBOP as an important community-based protection and recovery plan for our Northwest grizzly bears. Funds provided from WPZ helped produce new Bear Safe Washington brochures and informational display posters on bear safety as well as support the implementation of the community meetings.