BY KAREN BOSSICK

Learn about Idaho’s two species of bears from a regional wildlife biologist on Friday, June 3.

Jeremy Nicholson, a regional wildlife biologist with Idaho Fish and Game’s Upper Snake Region in Idaho Falls, will discuss his work with grizzly and black bears at a free presentation at 6:30 p.m. Friday at the Community Campus.

Wildlife education activities will be provided outside the auditorium prior to the presentation from 5 to 6:15 p.m.

Nicholson has studied bears across the United State for nearly 20 years, including those in Idaho, Florida, North Carolina and Yellowstone National Park. He will talk about his research and regional efforts to reduce human-bear conflicts.

He will be accompanied by Sierra Robatcek, regional wildlife biologist with the Magic Valley Region who will talk about black bears in Central Idaho and the Wood River Valley.

Robin Garwood, wildlife biologist with the Sawtooth National Recreation Area, will discuss the SNRA food-storage requirement the SNRA put in place last year to reduce opportunities for black bears to get access to camper’s food.

The presentation is co-sponsored by the Wood River Valley Wildlife Smart Communities Coalition, which was formed to reduce human-wildlife conflicts within the Wood River Valley. The Wood River Valley has witnessed several incidents of bears raiding garbage cans and beehives in the Warm Springs and East Fork areas during the past couple years.

To learn more about how to reduce human-bear conflicts, visit www.wrvwildlifesmart.org.