About the Program
Virtual/In Class: Students will get to handle and explore both nup'ku (black bear) and Kⱡawⱡa (grizzly) skulls and hair samples and look at photos and videos to understand the differences between these two species. We will also explore activities that help students understand the concepts of adaptation by looking at different Kootenay wildlife species (scientific drawing/observation activity). A short slide show is designed to help students appreciate and gain awareness of the incredible diversity of Columbia Basin wildlife through the eyes of a wildlife biologist, with a focus on the challenges and habitat needs of grizzlies. An optional extension is basic bear aware for your students, including a practice demonstration with inert training bear spray.

1/2 Day: same content as an in-class program, but with additional experiential games that help students understand the habitat needs of grizzlies, the concepts of habitat fragmentation, and behavioural adaptations of grizzlies to survive in the mountains of the Columbia Basin. This usually entails a field trip close to the school for an immersive experience where students can explore plant identification, ecosystem connections, and look for signs of bears and other wildlife. An optional extension is basic bear aware for your students, including a practice demonstration with inert training bear spray. This program is customizable to focus on any wildlife species or issue that your class might be studying.

Full Day: same content as an in-class program, but with additional experiential games that help students understand the habitat needs of grizzlies, the concepts of habitat fragmentation, and behavioural adaptations of grizzlies to survive in the mountains of the Columbia Basin. This usually entails a field trip into grizzly habitat in the mountains near your community for an immersive experience where students can explore plant identification, ecosystem connections, and look for signs of bears and other wildlife. An optional extension is basic bear aware for your students, including a practice demonstration with inert training bear spray. This program is customizable to focus on any wildlife species or issue that your class might be studying.

About the Community Educator
Dave Quinn is a wildlife biologist, a BC-certified teacher and a certified wilderness guide who has lead expeditions in the Kootenays, the Canadian Arctic and West Coast, as well as overseas. Dave's work as a photographer and writer has been published in several adventure tourism magazines and scientific publications. As a wildlife technician, Dave has worked on the Purcell Mountain Caribou Study, the Rocky Mountain Lynx Project, the Columbia Valley Badger Project, the Swift Fox Census, and the East Kootenay Fisher Project.