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Much like the grizzlies of Yellowstone National Park, the brown bears of Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula (the Kenai) are a small, isolated population. Although a scientific census has yet to be conducted, wildlife managers estimate that about 250-300 brown bears live on the Kenai -- a mountainous, 9-mile-wide isthmus that restricts the ability of bears to disperse between the peninsula and the mainland. As a result of low numbers, restricted distribution, and sensitivity to environmental disturbance, Kenai brown bears were listed in 1998 by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game as a "Population of Special Concern.”

Compounded with other conservation concerns is the fact that the Kenai is one of Alaska's most developed and steadily growing regions. Many land uses occur on the Kenai, including residential subdivisions, agriculture, mining, oil and gas exploration and production, forestry, and commercial fishing. The Kenai is also one of Alaska's most popular tourism and recreation areas. The cumulative impacts of these activities on bears are a serious concern, and Audubon Alaska is trying to address them through its Kenai Brown Bear Project.

Launched in 1999 with a 3-year grant from the Alaska Conservation Foundation and the Richard and Rhoda Goldman Fund, the Kenai Brown Bear Project has brought government agencies, conservation organizations, businesses, communities, and individuals together to solve local bear problems. One product of this effort is the Kenai Brown Bear Conservation Strategy, which not only articulates the need to conserve brown bears on the Kenai, but also the need to make communities safer, and avoid the necessity of an endangered species listing. The strategy includes recommendations for conserving bears, with emphasis on human-bear interactions, land planning & management, future research, and public education. All recommendations were developed by consensus through a public stakeholder process.

© J. Schoen

In addition to these bear conservation efforts, Audubon Alaska has been involved in the following community outreach and education efforts that have helped teach people about bears:

• Audubon published an educational booklet, "Living in Harmony with Bears," that describes how people can prevent bear problems, increase human safety around bears, and enhance bear conservation.
• Audubon developed an elementary school curriculum "Bear Quest" that will help young people learn about bears, avoid bear problems, and increase their safety in bear country. The curriculum was a cooperative project with the Kenai Peninsula School District and the Alaska Department of Fish & Game.
• Audubon has helped coordinate an annual Alaska Bear Festival, which brings films, speakers, and other information to local people about bears and bear conservation.