 From teddy bears to Yogi the Bear, bears have captivated the human imagination for generations. These large charismatic mammals have featured in stories, poems, movies, and more as majestic, and sometimes intimidating, apex predators in their environments. On June 7th each year, we focus on one particular North American bear (and the only bear to call Ohio home!) - the black bear (Ursus americanus)! How many species of bears exist in our world? There are eight species of bears distributed across the world; all eight species of bears are facing threats to their respective populations. https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/how-many-types-of-bears-are-there.html What bear species live in North America? According to our National Park Service, three species of bears live in North America; this includes black bears, brown bears (grizzlies) and polar bears. The following map shows the national parks where one or more bear species have been reported: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/bears/parks-with-bears.htm While bears of the same species might look similar, everything from their size, coloring, diet and sleeping patterns depend on the bear and its location. For example, a bear’s diet varies depending on what foods are available during a specific season in a specific region. The species pages listed here explore some of these varying characteristics by profiling bears in different parks. For more information about bears and bear behavior in a specific national park, please contact that park. https://www.nps.gov/subjects/bears/types-of-bears.htm What is the most common species of bear in North America? The most common species of bear in North America is the Black Bear. The name "black" bear can be somewhat misleading as this species appears in a range of color phases that include black, chocolate brown, cinnamon brown, blue-black, and even white. Its face, in profile, can be straight or Roman-nosed, a distinguishing characteristic that helps differentiate it from the dish-faced grizzly and Alaskan Peninsula brown bears. What kind of bears live in Ohio? Only black bears live in Ohio (but not very many- estimated 150 individuals). Black Bears in Ohio: Guidelines to Enjoying Ohio's Expanding Black Bear Population Historically, black bears roamed the Buckeye State. Although black bears inhabited Ohio prior to settlement of the region, unregulated hunting and the extensive deforestation that occurred by the mid-1800s as farms, towns, and industry were established resulted in a sizable reduction in the number of bears residing within the state's borders. Unfortunately, these pressures rendered black bears extirpated (locally extinct) from Ohio by 1850. Today, Ohio is again home to a small but growing population of black bears. Ohio’s bear population is estimated to be anywhere from 50-150 individual bears. It is important we understand a little about the biology and habits of the black bear if we are to coexist comfortably with this Ohio resident. Most black bears range in size from 100 to 400 pounds, are 5 to 6 feet in length and average 3 feet high at the shoulder. The majority of bears in Ohio weigh between 125-250 pounds, and are juvenile male bears. Dispersing young black bears will often travel great distances in search of new habitat and are most likely to be seen by or interact with humans. These bears are extremely agile and are able to run up to 35 mph, climb trees with ease and swim long distances. Bears are omnivores, meaning they will eat a wide variety of foods. Depending on the season, their diet may include grasses, forbs, berries, mast from oak, hickory, and beech trees, carrion, and insect larvae. Black Bears Reproduction: Black bears are promiscuous breeders. Males in particular will mate with more than one individual, while females do on occasion. The peak mating activity takes place from mid-June through mid-July. Black bears are delayed implanters. Implantation of the fertilized egg usually occurs during early December, with gestation requiring six weeks. First litters generally have only one cub. Two or three cubs are usually produced in subsequent litters. Generally, one litter is produced every other year. Sows and their cubs leave the dens when the cubs are approximately three months old. The young remain with the mother, who is the sole care giver, for the first year and a half of their lives. Growth during a cub's first year is rapid. At birth, the sightless cubs weigh about eight ounces. By the time that the cubs open their eyes at about six weeks of age, they weigh between three and four pounds. Typically, cubs weigh between 25 and 65 pounds by September and may weigh nearly 70-80 pounds by the time they enter the overwinter den with the sow in early November, provided high quality food is readily available. Habitat and Behavior: Black bears can be found from coast to coast throughout North America in a wide variety of the more heavily wooded habitats, ranging from swamps and wetlands to dry upland hardwood and coniferous forests, from the Yukon and Northwest Territory in Canada to the northern portions of Mexico. Although they will utilize open areas, bears prefer wooded cover with a dense understory. Bears have a large home range and travel a great deal. Studies in other states indicate the home range of adult males to be 100 to 120 square miles in upland hardwood habitats, 24 to 50 square miles for females. Movements of 125 miles from a denning site have been documented. Black bears are crepuscular, meaning they are active early in the morning and late in the evening. Daily timing of movements may be influenced by human activities. Bears in high human activity areas tend to be more nocturnal in their movements while dawn and dusk are the periods of primary movement among bears in low human activity areas.  Report a Black Bear: To report observations of black bears, submit a report online via the Wildlife Species Sighting Report, or contact your local county wildlife officer or regional District Wildlife Office. What To Do If You Encounter a Bear Black bears are usually fearful of people, therefore bear attacks are a rare occurrence. Bears do not attack or kill children or pets as long as the bear is given its space and not cornered. The first thing to do when you see a bear is REMAIN CALM. Generally, black bears are non-aggressive and prefer to flee from the area as soon as they are aware of your presence. If you encounter a bear, and it is not aware of your presence, simply back away from the area slowly. If the bear is aware of your presence and it does not leave the area, avoid direct eye contact with the animal, give the bear an easy escape route and again, simply back slowly away from the area. Always avoid running or climbing trees, which may provoke a chase. An easy way to remember this is to be AWARE:
Bear-Proofing Your Backyard Black bears are large animals and can cause significant damage while in search of an easy meal. If your yard is being visited by a black bear there are several things that must be done to ensure that the animal doesn’t become a “problem bear”. A “problem bear” can be defined as an animal that has lost its natural fear of humans and habitually causes property damage while in search of food. In this instance all potential food attractants must be removed from the area. This includes:
Bear Relocation: The Ohio Division of Wildlife does not relocate bears just because one is present in an area. Bears live in Ohio year round. They will continue to come back to a location if food sources are available to them. Hazing the bear off is the first step in dealing with nuisance bears. Black bears are only relocated if DOW personnel determine 1) the animal is in a situation where escape is unlikely, 2) it is a threat to public safety, or 3) a sociological conflict is probable. Best Places for Black Bears Forested areas in:
2023 Update Black bears are a state endangered species that occurs in forested habitats throughout the eastern half of Ohio. Black bear sightings in Ohio have been increasing since the Division of Wildlife began tracking sightings in 1993. In 2022, 285 sightings were reported in 52 counties, 161 of which were confirmed based on the presence of evidence such as photos or tracks. Sightings occur throughout the year but are most common in late May through early July. The number of individual black bears present in the state each year is estimated based on the number and location of confirmed reports, but it is not known how many of these individuals remain present in the state year-round. It is likely that the majority of bears seen in Ohio are young male bears dispersing from Pennsylvania and West Virginia. In the absence of a resident female, dispersing male bears are not likely to remain in an area for an extended period of time, and until recently, there has not been much evidence of resident female bears in Ohio. However, in recent years, evidence of adult females with cubs have been documented in several counties in northeast Ohio, near the Pennsylvania border. Adult female bears show strong home range fidelity, meaning once they establish a range, they tend to stay there. This recent evidence of reproduction occurring in the state is a positive indicator for the future of the Ohio black bear population. Black Bears in Ohio - In the News! Ohio Black Bears, making a comeback - Hocking Hills Park https://hockinghills.com/featstory/bears.html Although black bears are native to Ohio, their numbers were all but depleted by hunting when settlers moved into the area in the 1800s. Now that the settlers are gone, and much of Ohio's woodlands have regrown, a few young bears are returning from neighboring states to take advantage of the favorable conditions and establish home ranges of their own. Black Bears | Cleveland Metroparks https://www.clevelandmetroparks.com/about/conservation/current-issues/black-bears Black bears inhabited Ohio prior to settlement of the region, but by the 1850's black bears were considered extirpated (removed completely) from Ohio. Unregulated hunting and deforestation as farms, towns, and industry were established in Ohio in the 1800's contributed to the reduction in black bear numbers. Remaining bears were either shot or trapped to protect livestock and crops. Bear | Hudson, OH - Official Website
www.hudson.oh.us/481/Bear Bears in Hudson Bears are sighted every year in Hudson, Ohio. This photo shows a bear that wandered through Hudson backyards in 2012. The Ohio Division of Wildlife does not relocate bears. Bears live in Ohio year-round, and will continue to return to areas where a food source is available.
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 Happy National Teachers' Day! May 3, 2025 is all about recognizing our AMAZING educators. The District's education team is so honored to work with and support the herculean efforts that our county teachers put forth every day to ensure that students learn and thrive in a positive environment! Warren SWCD is here to support our local educators in a variety of ways. Check out our education page to learn more! https://www.warrenswcd.com/education.html
#WarrenSWCD #thankyouteachers❤️  Photo by Ginger Jordan Unsplash Why did the turtle cross the road? To find a mate of course! As temperatures are warming up, turtles are on the move. As they journey in search of mates and food, they often have to cross our roadways . Here are some tips on how you can help turtles that you might spot on the road from the US Fish and Wildlife Service: 1. Drive slowly in areas where turtles frequent. 2. If you have to move a turtle be very careful when moving them (it could be injured or it could bite you depending on what species). If possible, sometimes it is best to just stand guard as the animal crosses the road on its own. 3. Always keep your own safety in mind – watch out for oncoming vehicles, signal properly when pulling over and recognize your surroundings first before working to help save an animal. 4. If the animal does need to be moved, put it down on the other side of the road in the same direction it was going. 5. Do NOT take it with you - please only focus on helping it get safely to the other side. Our animal ambassador Tucker the Turtle says "Thank You" for helping out his wild relatives!  Tucker the Woodland Box Turtle  Photo by Caleb Woods on Unsplash  Photo by Bryan Padron on Unsplash Is that a coyote you heard? Or was that the distinct aroma of skunk you smelled? If you are noticing more signs of these animals lately, it is because love is in the air, and not just because of Valentine's Day. It is also mating season! According to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, skunks and coyotes are more active during the spring as they search for mates, venturing out of their typical ranges to do so. Habitat loss due to development also displaces them into urban areas, increasing potential interactions with these species. Both coyotes and skunks are generalists, meaning they eat a variety of foods and can easily adapt to various environments, including around humans. Coyotes mate in late January through early March. They are socially monogamous breeders, meaning once a mate is found, the pair typically remains together. Litters are born in March and April and can contain 5 to 10 pups! Skunk mating season in Ohio begins a little later than the coyote, starting in February and continues until the end of March. Female skunks usually have one litter, while male skunks can father multiple litters. Each litter produces 4 to 6 kits on average, in May or June. In Ohio, we have Eastern coyotes, which are descendants of Western coyotes and the gray wolves that once populated the Great Lakes region. Coyotes are actually not native to Ohio, but they slowly moved into the area over time as land was cleared for agriculture and other, larger carnivores like the gray wolf were extirpated (locally extinct). They have been recorded in the state since 1919. Striped skunks are native to Ohio, however. Identifiable by the two white stripes that run down their backs and tails, striped skunks are found across North America, including the United States, northern Mexico and southern Canada. If you encounter one of these species, the recommended response differs. Coyotes are highly intelligent animals, and do not typically want to confront humans. Making yourself known through loud noises and gestures generally will encourage a coyote to move along. Skunks though are less intelligent, and have poor eyesight. Their main defense mechanism is, of course, their signature scent which comes from a liquid produced by a skunk's anal glands, and contains several chemical compounds which are rich in sulfur. If you see a skunk, back away and give it plenty of space. Adult skunks typically wag their tail and stomp before spraying, so you have a chance to avoid the worst of the confrontation!
If you are noticing more coyotes, skunks or other animals in your yard, removing food sources such as outdoor cat and dog food, bird seed, and garbage can help. Also, excluding spaces under porches or decks that could be potential denning sites can help to reduce conflicts with these species.
Questions about local wildlife? Contact our office at 513.695.1337 What's the buzz about World Honey Bee Day? World Honey Bee Day is celebrated every third Saturday in August, falling on August 17 this year. While there are 20,000 different species of bees all around the world, the honey bee tends to be the most recognized. But it is also different from many other types of native bees here in Ohio. Most of Ohio's bees, like mason bees and leafcutter bees are solitary and do not live in large colonies like the honey bee. And our native solitary bees are actually much more efficient pollinators than honey bees because they are not collecting the pollen for themselves to take back to a hive. The honey bee however, utilizes much of the pollen it collects to make honey! A single worker bee will visit up to a few thousand flowers per day and produces around 1/12th of a teaspoon of honey in its life time. A colony collectively may visit up to 225,000 flowers per day and can produce 200+ pounds of honey in a single season, with some even recorded as producing around 600 pounds! Bees, like many insects, see from approximately 300 to 650 nm. That means they cannot see the color red, but they can see in the ultraviolet spectrum (which humans cannot). They also communicate through various body movements, commonly called the "bee dance". Celebrate World Honey Bee Day by doing YOUR part to protect these essential pollinators! - plant bee-friendly plants - use eco friendly pesticides, or refrain from pesticides at all - visit an Apirary to learn more about honeybees - support local beekeepers! Beekeepers are providing shelter and care for a disappearing bee population  Want to learn more about how to help local pollinators like the honey bee? Visit our webpage on Native Plants and Pollinator Pathways!
 For many, spring time equals garden time! Whether planning a new garden or simply sprucing up an existing one, make sure to think about incorporating those native plants. Native plants help the environment the most when planted in places that match their growing requirements. They will thrive in the soils, moisture and weather of your region. That means less supplemental watering, which can be wasteful, and pest problems that require toxic chemicals. Native plants also assist in managing rain water runoff and maintain healthy soil as their root systems are deep and keep soil from being compacted. Native plants have formed symbiotic relationships with native wildlife over thousands of years, and therefore offer the most sustainable habitat. A plant is considered native if it has occurred naturally in a particular region, ecosystem, or habitat without human introduction. Exotic plants that evolved in other parts of the world or were cultivated by humans into forms that don’t exist in nature do not support wildlife as well as native plants. Occasionally, they can even escape into the wild and become invasive exotics that destroy natural habitat. Discovering the native plants where you live can also define a unique sense of place and heritage for your garden habitat while preserving the natural history of the flora and fauna of your region. To learn more about native plants and find resources, please visit our Ohio Native Plants page! https://www.warrenswcd.com/ohio-native-plants.html   Coming up this month, on March 22, people around the planet will recognize World Water Day! World Water Day is about taking action to tackle the water crisis. Today, there are over 663 million people living without a safe water supply close to home, spending countless hours queuing or trekking to distant sources, and coping with the health impacts of using contaminated water. (http://www.worldwaterday.org/)
This year’s theme is ‘Water for Peace’, which focuses on the critical role water plays in the stability and prosperity of the world. When water is scarce or polluted, or when people have unequal or no access, tensions can rise between communities and countries. More than 3 billion people worldwide depend on water that crosses national borders. Yet, out of 153 countries that share rivers, lakes and aquifers with their neighbors, only 24 countries report having cooperation agreements for all their shared water. As climate change impacts increase, and the global population grows, we must unite around protecting and conserving our most precious resource. By working together to balance everyone’s human rights and needs, water can be a stabilizing force and a catalyst for sustainable development. World Water Day is a United Nations (UN) observance coordinated by UN-Water. Every year, it raises awareness of a major water-related issue and inspires action to tackle the water and sanitation crisis. Did You Know?
Learn more at www.unwater.org Does the word Envirothon remind you of the word environmental? Well that's because the Envirothon is a high school environmental competition designed to stimulate, reinforce and enhance interest in the environment and natural resources among high school students. Students are tested on their knowledge of soils, forestry, wildlife, aquatic ecology and current environmental issues. In addition, the Envirothon encourages cooperative decision-making and team building. While each student on a team is challenged to contribute his or her personal best, the score that counts at the end of the competition is the team score. A team consists of five students, all from the same high school. An adult advisor (or advisors) must accompany the team, but is not permitted to assist the team during the competition.
High School students across the state compete on the local level at one of the five Area Envirothons. The top four teams from each Area Envirothon go on to compete at the state competition held each year in June for the title of State Champion. The State Champion from Ohio will compete at the NCF Envirothon held annually in North America. The 2024 Area IV competition will be held at Gwynne Conservation Area in London, OH on Tuesday, April 30. For more information about our Area IV competition visit our webpage at https://www.warrenswcd.com/hs-envirothon.html This event is a true example of many groups working together to provide a wonderful opportunity for students to learn through experience! These contests are open to any Warren County schools. If you have a school that would like to participate or learn more, please contact Warren County SWCD Education & Communications Specialist Melissa Proffitt. For more information about the overall program, visit: https://www.envirothon.org  What is slimy, red, and helps you grow your veggies? If you guessed red wiggler worms, you would be correct! Red wiggler worms, also known as red worms, tiger worms, and manure worms, are a small species of earthworm measuring 3 to 4 inches long. Red wigglers are originally from Europe, but have now spread to all continents on the globe except Antarctica. For those of us who vermicompost, red wigglers are well known as these voracious eaters are excellent at breaking down food scraps to recycle the nutrients into a valuable soil amendment. But let's learn a little more about these hard working critters! Fun facts:
Red wigglers are such cool creatures! To learn more about how they help with composting visit our previous blog about Vermicomposting is For the Worms!  In a galaxy far, far away students are returning to the classroom and educators are on the look out for excellent environmental science materials to share with them. Well educators, look no further! (Well, at least stop here for some great resources!) The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) has released its 2024 National Stewardship Week materials and they are out of this world. The theme revolves around the topic of forestry and these educator materials will assist in curriculum planning and support. NACD describes the materials as having "hands-on-learning and experience-based activities for K-8 grades all in a single guide with comprehensive background material, easy instructional resources, and suggestions for modification to include all students. There are also accompanying student journal resources for extending the learning experience. " And don't forget that our education staff is available to present programs and loan education materials to local Warren County educators. We have several tree-rific resources from Project Learning Tree we can share including the Tree Factory, hands-on biofacts like tree cookies, leaves and seeds, and Climate Change, Forest Change, and Tree Ring Analysis Discovery Kits. Contact us at 513.695.1337 to learn more. May the Forest Be with You!
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