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Bear Smart New Jersey is a public service program of Animal Protection League of New Jersey.

Our Bear Smart Community outreach program serves to educate residents about bears, reduce unwarranted fears and increase tolerance of our bear neighbors.

Both our protection and education objectives foster a peaceful coexistence and replaces fear with respect and understanding.

Please contact us for more information on providing your community, school, service organization or workplace with a free presentation of Making Your Community Bear Smart.

Animal Protection League of NJ
PO Box 186
Glen Gardner, NJ 08826
732-446-6808
email

Animal Protection League of New Jersey is 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and a New Jersey registered charity.

Bear Smart New Jersey was inspired by the desire to offer communities the means to reduce human/bear interactions, to educate the public on the true nature of bears and to create an environment where bears and people can peacefully co-exist.

photo of a bear

The concept of Bear Smart communities has its origins in Canada in the resort community of Whistler, British Columbia. Helping residents, visitors and businesses make Whistler a model Bear Smart community that ensures the safety of both people and bears is at the heart of their work.

Traditionally, New Jersey wildlife officials have handled human/bear conflict situations through hunting regulations and killing or relocating “nuisance” bears; these methods have not prevented conflicts or even reduced their numbers.

The ineffectiveness of traditional methods points to a clear need for the Bear Smart approach.

Read our section on Resources and Reports.

It takes a village to create a Bear Smart community. When everyone participates - private homeowners, businesses, campgrounds and public policy makers - it’s easy to be Bear Smart, at home, at work and at play!

photo of a bear

As more and more people unfamiliar with black bears move into New Jersey’s bear country, there is a hightened need for public education, the corner stone of a Bear Smart program.

Bear Smart programs include public education, appropriate garbage containment, enforcement of feeding ban laws and training for police officers and wildlife personnel. Coalition building with community and state organizations enhances the effectiveness of Bear Smart programs.

It takes a village to create a Bear Smart community. When everyone participates, private homeowners, businesses, campgrounds and public policy makers, it’s easy to be Bear Smart - at home, at work and at play!

Animal Protection League of NJ
PO Box 186
Glen Gardner, NJ 08826
732-446-6808
email

photo of a bear

Evidence that Non-Lethal Works

Education reduces unwarranted fears and allows the public to enjoy these beautiful animals and their place in our state. Modifying your behavior will modify the bear’s behavior. When you know what to do, how to properly act and react, the bear will learn from you.

read our report