Los Alamos County Councilor James Chrobocinski presents James Robinson, chair of the Land of Enchantment Wildlife Foundation, with a proclamation on behalf of Council declaring the Month of May as Bear Month in Los Alamos County. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

Staff Report

During Tuesday’s Council meeting, Los Alamos County Councilor James Chrobocinski presented James Robinson, chair of the Land of Enchantment Wildlife Foundation, with a proclamation on behalf of Council declaring the Month of May as Bear Month in Los Alamos County.

Proclamation

WHEREAS: Los Alamos is blessed with an abundance of wildlife, and healthy wildlife populations have a positive impact on the Los Alamos community; our community’s forested lands are most notably home to the American Black Bear; and

WHEREAS: Five key bear-safety practices should be added to residents’ daily routines and recreational activities: When out in the wilderness, make noise so that a bear is not surprised by human presence; stay alert and actively look for signs of bears; never approach or crowd bears; keep food, garbage, and other attractants out of reach of bears; stay calm during a bear encounter, and do not run; and

WHEREAS: Residents can also reduce the likelihood of bear encounters around the home by removing bird feeders, securing garbage in bear-resistant containers, not feeding bears, planting gardens away from game trails, and frequently turning compost; and

WHEREAS: A person’s behavior often dictates a bear’s behavior. As many bears emerge from dens in early spring, May is a good time to remind residents about bears, their behavior, and how we can live responsibly and safely in bear country; and

WHEREAS: The Los Alamos Nature Center, the Pajarito Environmental Education Center, Land of Enchantment Wildlife Foundation, and many other local and state agencies will present bear education events throughout the month of May, including New Mexico’s first ever “Bear Festival’ on May 13;

NOW, THEREFORE, on behalf of the Council of the Incorporated County of Los Alamos, I do hereby designate the Month of May 2017 as:

“BEAR MONTH”

and encourage our citizens to become educated about bear safety and responsible co-existence with these remarkable animals, so that they can continue to thrive in the future.