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Bear Basics with Bernadette
Published
5 years agoon
Posted By
Outlaw PartnersStaying in tune with spring’s green wave
By Kris Inman EBS CONTRIBUTOR
In high elevation regions, spring rolls out in what wildlife researchers have coined the “Green Wave.” Bright green shoots and trees bud out at lower elevations and make a slow climb up the mountains. Herbivores like elk, deer and pronghorn follow this green wave, feeding on fresh vegetation after a long winter of living on old, decadent vegetation.
Bears, as omnivores and opportunistic feeders, have been waiting since they emerged from their dens to take advantage of spring’s green up, eating young grasses, cow parsnip and other vegetation as it blossoms and unfurls its leaves.
Not surprisingly, as people often report in Big Sky, bears are seen in the first areas to green up.
As spring progresses and moves into summer, meat becomes an important part of a bear’s diet as elk begin calving and deer have their fawns. Later in the summer, if it is a good year for the fluctuating seed crops of whitebark pine trees, red squirrels will take to their job of clipping the whitebark pine cones and storing them in middens at the base of the trees. Bears root these pine cones out as a high-protein food source to get them through the upcoming winter. In the meantime, insects and berries will satisfy a bear’s diet.
This is how we would like to see bears behave: following the
natural flow of the food nature provides. But, because bears are well-adapted
to take advantage of a variety of natural food sources, this same behavior
makes it easy for a bear to turn to anthropogenic attractants, like trash,
coolers and pet foods, that are also readily available.
At this time of the year, when the green wave makes its way to the golf courses, ski runs, open spaces and stream beds, bears will be drawn closer to people. As residents and visitors, you can do your part to keep bears and Big Sky wild by storing pet foods inside, burning off your grill for 10 minutes after use, keeping grease in a bear-resistant container, and bringing in the bird feeders until next winter.
To learn more about bears and the actions you can take to reduce human conflicts with bears, follow Bernadette Bear on social media @bearsmartbigsky. Help support Bernadette in her campaign to create a more bear-safe and bear-aware community in Big Sky, and look for the launch of our “What’s Your Wild Wednesday’s” on social media.
Kris Inman is the community partnerships coordinator for the Wildlife Conservation Society and oversees the Bear Smart Big Sky campaign.
The Outlaw Partners is a creative marketing, media and events company based in Big Sky, Montana.
Upcoming Events
march, 2024
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Children turning 5 on or before 9/10/2024:
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Children turning 5 on or before
9/10/2024: Kindergarten
enrollment for the 2024-2025 school year can be completed by following the
registration process now.
Children
born on or after September 11, 2019: 4K enrollment is now open for
families that have a 4-year-old they would like to enroll in our program for
the 2023-2024 school year. Please complete the 4K Interest Form to
express your interest. Completing this form does not guarantee enrollment into
the 4K program. Enrollment is capped at twenty 4-year-olds currently
residing within Big Sky School District boundary full time and will be
determined by birth date in calendar order of those born on or after September
11, 2018. Interest form closes on May 30th.
Enrollment now is critical for fall preparations. Thank you!
Time
February 26 (Monday) - April 21 (Sunday)
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My Barking Dog is a nightmare comedy
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My Barking Dog is a nightmare comedy that tells the story of Toby and Melinda, two lonely people whose lives are forever changed the night they encounter a starving coyote at their apartment building. Over time they grow to expect him, leaving ritual offerings to entice the coyote every night. Toby and Melinda forge a connection over this visitor and share curiosity and concern about his presence in the city. The coyote expands their world–until, one night, their world is shattered. Their lives are pushed suddenly into uncharted territory, sending them on a surreal odyssey that changes their city–and the world–forever.
Directed by LX Miller. Starring Max Schneider and Denise Hergett
Verge Theater is continuing their mission to provide accessible theater to our community. Tickets for My Barking Dog are Pay What You Wish with a suggested price of $35. Audience members are offered the opportunity to select the price point that is comfortable for them when purchasing tickets.
My Barking Dog runs March 15-17, 22-24, 28-30
Performances on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays begin at 7:00 p.m., with Sunday matinees offered at 3:00 p.m.
Suitable for ages 16 . No animals are harmed in the staging of this production.
Tickets are available online at www.vergetheater.com
Time
15 (Friday) 7:00 pm - 30 (Saturday) 8:30 pm
Location
Verge Theater
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Saturday, March 23rd 6:00-8:00pm We will combine the heart-opening powers of cacao with the transcendental powers of breathwork and sound. Together, these practices will give us the opportunity for a deep
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Saturday, March 23rd 6:00-8:00pm
Time
March 23 (Saturday) 6:00 pm - April 23 (Tuesday) 8:00 pm
Location
Santosha Wellness Center
169 Snowy Mountain Circle
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Thursday of the Lord’s Supper Mass St. Joseph Catholic Mission
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Thursday of the Lord’s Supper Mass
St. Joseph Catholic Mission
Time
(Thursday) 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm