Black bear populations have been increasing in New York State since the early 1900s. Bears are a magnificent part of the natural world, and populations of healthy bears are indicative of a healthy forest ecosystem. But with more bears come more opportunities for bear-human conflicts, which peak in the Catskills each year in June. Join NYSDEC Senior Wildlife Biologist Matt Merchant at the Catskill Interpretive Center for a fascinating talk on black bear biology and behavior, and learn how to best prevent conflicts with bears on the hiking trail and in your own backyard.
