Effective tools for protecting bear attractants, including electric fencing and Defenders’ Electric Fence Incentive Program by Isabel Grant, Defenders of Wildlife, Alaska Representative

Human-wildlife conflict is a global driver of species decline and mortality of large predators like black and brown bears. In Alaska, bears play an important role in maintaining ecosystem health and biodiversity. Human-bear conflict frequently results in bear mortality and threatens the long-term stability and persistence of bear populations. Additionally, property damage and loss from conflicts can be extremely costly for individuals and communities and reduces social tolerance for bears. Tools designed to protect attractants from bears prevent conflict and help people better share the landscape with bears. Defenders of Wildlife Alaska Representative, Isabel Grant will discuss effective tools for protecting bear attractants (such as gardens, chicken coops, garbage, etc.) including electric fencing and Defenders’ Electric Fence Incentive Program.

Presenter Bio: Isabel Grant is an Alaska Representative for the national non-profit organization, Defenders of Wildlife. She manages Defenders of Wildlife’s human-bear coexistence programs in Alaska, including an Electric Fence Incentive Program on the Kenai Peninsula and in Southeast Alaska. Isabel collaborates with local agencies, organizations, and Tribes on projects that promote coexistence between humans and bears in Alaskan communities.