A recent article in the news  relates the conflicts between humans and bears, both grizzly and black, due mainly to garbage problems.  There are widely differing views about how these problems should be handled.  While some residents favor the elimination of all bears, most Alaskans feel that coexistence is possible.

Here in the Southern Appalachians, we, too, have problems with bears getting into garbage from time to time.  Proper disposal of trash and garbage should be a high priority issue for all of us in any bear active area. 

 We believe education of those who live or vacation in an area where they may encounter bears, as the best way to protect both people and bears so that they can live in harmony.