We celebrate our 2nd Birthday on Thursday, June 03, 2021! We are taking the opportunity to take a look at ourselves, where we have been, and where we are going, and as always, the future looks challenging but hopeful! We are doing some branding and rebranding and will have a new logo soon that we … [Read More...] about Growing Pains!
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Appalachia Georgia Friends of the Bears
AWARENESS · EDUCATION · SAFETY · ADVOCACY
Our mission is to reduce Human-Bear conflict through proactive educational outreach programs, increase public awareness about coexisting with Black Bears, the use of humane bear deterrents, and advocacy.
Our Study Resulted in the Installation of Bear Signs in North Georgia
Over 15 "Be Bear Wise" Signs Were Emplaced Through Our Partnership with Sisson Co.,
"Be Safe in Bear Country" Info Translated to Spanish
Our Programs & Projects
The Black Bear Spot Report is a reporting survey to help the Appalachia Georgia Friends of the Bears track Black Bear populations. If you spot a bear, please use the “Enter Black Bear Sighting” button below to add a marker on the map where you spotted the bear. The Black Bear Spot Report form includes providing your name and some contact information, in case we have further questions. We will not post the pictures on the website or social media unless we obtain permission for it from you as provided in the reporting form.
After contacting both Georgia DNR and BearWise.org, we identified a national need for Black Bear safety material available in Spanish. We had one of our pieces translated into Spanish and shared it with the Georgia DNR, BearWise.org, the National Park Conservation Association, the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, and the U.S. Forest Service – Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest for their use.
In partnership with BearWise.org and the Sisson Company, we were able to emplace over 15 “Be Bear Wise” signs through the Cherry Log Mountain Cabin Community.
In cooperation with our partners, the Georgia DNR, GDOT, and the Gilmer County Sheriff’s Department, we completed a study of Black Bear road-kills in Georgia and specifically, Georgia Highway 515 between Ellijay and Blue Ridge. As a result, our study was validated and GDOT emplaced the first Bear Crossing signs in North Georgia.
