Swan Ecosystem Center

Bear break-in while owners were away. Notice the open windows, the one on the left is where the bear broke in. Notice an unsecured bbq grill. Always secure grills in a locked shed. Keep doors and windows closed when you are away from home, and instruct visitors to do the same! Photo by Patti Sowka.

A dumpster overturned by a bear. This dumpster has been replaced w/a bear resistant container, and when used properly is grizzly bear proof….tested by grizzly bears at the Yellowstone Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center. www.grizzlydiscoveryctr.com

Swan Ecosystem Center
6887 Hwy 83, USFS Condon Work Center, Condon, MT 59826

Office:	406.754.3137 or 406.754.3138
Fax:	406.754.2965
Email:	swanec@blackfoot.net

Grizzly Bears testing a bear resistant personal use container. These containers are available on a lease-to-own or short term borrowing program. Photo by Patti Sowka.

Our Swan Valley Bear Newsletter is published each spring and fall, offering tips for preventing human and bear conflicts and providing up to date information about bear research and local bears.

Click on links below to download Swan Valley Bear News
(PDF format)

Spring 2008
Spring 2007	Fall 2007
Spring 2006	Fall 2006
Spring 2005	Fall 2005

Thanks to several grants and donations, we have been able to supply all Swan Valley businesses with large bear resistant garbage containers. Funding partners: Defenders of Wildlife; Disney Wildlife Conservation Fund; Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee; Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks; Swan View Coalition; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and generous private donors.

If you compost, protect with electric fencing. We offer Living With Wildlife packets for new and longtime residents. Realtors are encouraged to provide these packets for their clients.

Stop in at our office to review videos and pick up literature that will help you coexist with wildlife.

Bear Aware Committee Partners: Flathead National Forest; Living With Wildlife Foundation; Lolo National Forest; Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks; Northwest Connections; Seeley Lake Bear Aware; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; volunteers.

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Store pet food and garbage indoors.
Feed pets indoors or bring uneaten food inside.
Bring bird feeders, including humming bird feeders, inside at night.
Pick fruit as it ripens.
Keep coolers, refrigerators and freezers inside even if empty.
Clean and securely store barbeque grills inside.
Avoid planting clover; it is not native and it is becoming a favorite of bears.
Do not leave food or garbage in your vehicle.
Secure all odorous products, including motor oil, paint and antifreeze.
Close windows and doors before leaving home.

Let’s do our part to protect bears and our families by following a few simple rules:

Swan Ecosystem Center is working with partners to protect bears and humans and prevent property damage. The Bear Aware project helps people avoid conflicts with bears and other wildlife.

When bears find pet food, stock food, garbage, bird feed, fruit or compost in your yard, they quickly learn to return for more rewards. Bears that have become accustomed to humans usually are killed as a result of our carelessness.

Challenge for people concerned for our bears

We have received a $200 contribution to purchase a bear resistant container for our loaner program. The donor encourages others to match the contribution for this very important cause. Donate by sending a check, earmarked '"Bear Aware Loaner Program" to Swan Ecosystem Center, 6887 Highway 83, Condon, MT 59826. To make a credit card donation phone (406) 754-3137.

Bear Aware

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