Climate Adaptation, Education & Awareness, Habitat & Wildlife

Human-wildlife conflicts are increasing as population growth, habitat conversion, and climate
change accelerate challenges for species that interface with urban and rural communities. In the
Gunnison Valley, like many areas throughout the west, such conflicts are increasing between
black bears and city residents.

I gathered and analyzed, I collaborated with the City of Gunnison, the citizens of
the region, and CPW to create a well-researched, scientifically supported human-black bear
conflict management plan designed to reduce local human-black bear conflict with varying levels
of implementation strategies.

(https://gunnisonconflict.squarespace.com/)

Gunnison, CO 81230
United States

Human-wildlife conflicts are increasing as population growth, habitat conversion, and climate
change accelerate challenges for species that interface with urban and rural communities. In the
Gunnison Valley, like many areas throughout the west, such conflicts are increasing between
black bears and city residents. Black bears are adaptable mammals and exhibit different
behaviors in response to selective pressures (e.g. temperature and precipitation changes, food
availability, access to water, etc.). For example, warmer temperatures in early spring cause black
bears to emerge from hibernation sooner when their traditional sources of food may be scarce.
To help the City of Gunnison coexist with black bears, I did three things for my project.
1) I gathered existing Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) black bear conflict data for conflicts
within the City of Gunnison and gathered regional harvest data and compiled, mapped, and
analyzed these data to determine conflict hotspots and possible correlation of conflict associated
with temperature and precipitation, and human use of the landscape. 2) I reviewed existing
climate models for the Gunnison region and create a list of predicted changes of abiotic and
biotic factors associated with black bear foraging needs and hibernation behaviors. 3) Using the
information, I gathered and analyzed, I collaborated with the City of Gunnison, the citizens of
the region, and CPW to create a well-researched, scientifically supported human-black bear
conflict management plan designed to reduce local human-black bear conflict with varying levels
of implementation strategies.

 

https://gunnisonconflict.squarespace.com/