GRIZZLY BEAR STEWARDSHIP
A model for co-existence with grizzly bears based on traditional Tlingit knowledge and practices.
Tlingit Grizzly Bear Stewardship
This project is supported by the Grizzly Bear Foundation, and is a joint project between TAC, Taku River Tlingit First Nation, Carcross Tagish First Nation and Nakina Adventures and Round River Conservation Studies.
The purpose of this project is to identify and develop a model for co-existence with grizzly bears that is based on traditional Tlingit knowledge and practices for interacting with bears. This work builds the technical and leadership capacity of the TRTFN Land Guardians and the Carcross/Tagish Ecological Monitors to educate each of their communities on the traditional stewardship of grizzly bears and to mitigate grizzly bear-human conflicts.
In this project, lessons for co-existence with grizzly bears will be extracted from traditional knowledge and Tlingit stories. These lessons will be used to develop a set of guidelines for co-existing with grizzly bears. The Land Guardians and Ecological Monitors will receive training to prevent and mitigate grizzly bear-human conflicts. This will include time spent observing and interacting with grizzly bears and learning about their behavior from experienced bear guides at Nakina Adventures Grizzly Bear Viewing Lodge. Traditional lessons for co-existing with grizzly bears will be shared with the community through education and outreach activities.
