{"id":506,"date":"2021-12-28T00:55:23","date_gmt":"2021-12-28T00:55:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/?page_id=506"},"modified":"2026-02-13T19:05:40","modified_gmt":"2026-02-14T00:05:40","slug":"black-bear-education-in-new-jersey","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/bears\/black-bear-education-in-new-jersey\/","title":{"rendered":"Black Bear Education in New Jersey"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>As black bears in New Jersey continue to adapt to living in closer proximity to people and human development, they learn to take advantage of human-derived food sources. Fish and Wildlife has been conducting an intensive public education and outreach campaign to teach residents, hikers, anglers and campers about how to safely coexist with black bears and minimize negative interactions. Efforts have included presentations to school children, civic organizations, communities and other groups, as well as the development of an educational videos, public service announcements, brochures, signs and other educational materials. The black bear education program was awarded a national award for excellence in 1999.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Each year, Fish and Wildlife:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Produces and distributes thousands of pieces of educational material to teach residents how to coexist with black bears.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Presents hundreds of educational black bear seminars to tens of thousands of residents.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Airs radio and television Public Service Announcements concerning bear behavior.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Handles over 1,200 phone calls to provide advice and technical assistance to residents about black bears.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Trains law enforcement officers to respond to black bear incidents.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"\/njfw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/bear_lit_and_progs.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Bear Education Materials and Public Programs Summary, 2007-2020<\/a> <i class=\"fa-solid fa-file-pdf\" style=\"color: #dc3545\"><\/i><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Black Bear Education Curriculum<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>These ready-made lesson plans, available for teachers and other educators to download, are aligned with current New Jersey Learning Standards (NJLS) and are designed to incorporate black bear biology and ecology into structured lessons in subjects such as Science, Mathematics, English Language Arts, Visual and Performing Arts, and Social Studies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/bears\/black-bear-education-curriculum\/\">Black Bear Lesson Plans<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Bear Education Trunk for Educators<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The&nbsp;<strong>Black Bear Education Trunk<\/strong>&nbsp;is a great resource for educators to use when teaching students grades K-12 about black bears. It includes an activity guide for educators, a bear hide, skull, casts of bear prints and lots of other hands-on materials. It is available for pick-up at the&nbsp;Northern Region Office (HedgeHaven), located in Hampton, NJ.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Contact:<\/strong> <i class=\"fa-solid fa-envelope\" title=\"Email Address\"><\/i> <a href=\"mailto:Stephanie.Getto@deptest.nj.gov\"><strong>stephanie.getto@deptest.nj.gov<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Cost: $50 refundable deposit; pick up and return trunk to the Northern Region Office.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Publications and Materials<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Fish and Wildlife has produced a variety of educational literature and materials. To view a listing please visit the following link:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/bears\/publications-and-materials\/\">Publications and Materials<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Bear Facts for Kids<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Children should visit the following link to learn more about living with black bears in New Jersey and to find fun games about New Jersey&#8217;s wildlife.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/bears\/bear-facts-for-kids\/\">Bear Facts for Kids<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<a name=\"presentation-and-exhibit\"><\/a>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Black Bear Presentation and Exhibit<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>NJDEP Fish &amp; Wildlife is offering a limited number of black bear safety presentations free of charge. The \u201cKnow the Bear Facts\u201d presentation is available to schools, summer camps, campgrounds, nature centers, scouts, hiking clubs, and municipalities. It covers the natural history and biology of the Garden State&#8217;s largest land mammal, bear research and management, and practical information on coexisting with black bears, including safety tips. The program includes an audio\/visual presentation, show-and-tell items, and bear safety publications for distribution. In addition, Fish and Wildlife personnel are available to staff a tabletop black bear education exhibit at community events.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><i class=\"fa-regular fa-circle-exclamation text-danger\" title=\"Important\"><\/i> <font class=\"text-danger\"><strong>NJDEP Fish &amp; Wildlife\u2019s Black Bear Presentations and Exhibits are currently unavailable. Once scheduling resumes, a request form will be made available. Thank you for your understanding.<\/strong><\/font><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/steph-getto-with-black-bear-exhibit-at-essex-county-environmental-center-earth-day-event-2025-scaled.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/steph-getto-with-black-bear-exhibit-at-essex-county-environmental-center-earth-day-event-2025-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-61051\" srcset=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/njfw\/steph-getto-with-black-bear-exhibit-at-essex-county-environmental-center-earth-day-event-2025-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/njfw\/steph-getto-with-black-bear-exhibit-at-essex-county-environmental-center-earth-day-event-2025-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/njfw\/steph-getto-with-black-bear-exhibit-at-essex-county-environmental-center-earth-day-event-2025-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/njfw\/steph-getto-with-black-bear-exhibit-at-essex-county-environmental-center-earth-day-event-2025-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/njfw\/steph-getto-with-black-bear-exhibit-at-essex-county-environmental-center-earth-day-event-2025-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-heading\">Bear Resources<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column bear-resources is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Bear Safety Tips<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"796\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/wp-content\/uploads\/njfw\/bear-ear-tag-research-jc0-7321-10@1x.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7459\" srcset=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/njfw\/bear-ear-tag-research-jc0-7321-10@1x.png 796w, https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/njfw\/bear-ear-tag-research-jc0-7321-10@1x-300x151.png 300w, https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/njfw\/bear-ear-tag-research-jc0-7321-10@1x-768x386.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 796px) 100vw, 796px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ul style=\"padding-top: 15px;padding-right: 25px;line-height: 26px\">\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/njfw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/black_rightarow.png\" alt=\"black_rightarow\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/bears\/bear-encounters\/\">Bear Encounters<\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/njfw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/black_rightarow.png\" alt=\"black_rightarow\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/bears\/bear-facts-for-homeowners\/\">Homeowners<\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/njfw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/black_rightarow.png\" alt=\"black_rightarow\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/bears\/bear-facts-for-outdoor-enthusiasts\/\">Hikers and Campers<\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/njfw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/black_rightarow.png\" alt=\"black_rightarow\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/bears\/bear-facts-for-municipalities\/\">Townships \/ Law Enforcement<\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/njfw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/black_rightarow.png\" alt=\"black_rightarow\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/bears\/bear-facts-for-businesses\/\">Businesses<\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/njfw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/black_rightarow.png\" alt=\"black_rightarow\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/bears\/bear-facts-for-agriculturists\/\">Farmers<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Prevent Bear Damage<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"796\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/wp-content\/uploads\/njfw\/tegan-mierle-fdostelvhn8-unsplash-11@1x.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7427\" srcset=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/njfw\/tegan-mierle-fdostelvhn8-unsplash-11@1x.png 796w, https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/njfw\/tegan-mierle-fdostelvhn8-unsplash-11@1x-300x151.png 300w, https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/njfw\/tegan-mierle-fdostelvhn8-unsplash-11@1x-768x386.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 796px) 100vw, 796px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ul style=\"padding-top: 15px;padding-right: 25px;line-height: 26px\">\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/njfw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/black_rightarow.png\" alt=\"black_rightarow\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/bears\/prevent-bear-damage\/\">Avoid Attracting Bears<\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/njfw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/black_rightarow.png\" alt=\"black_rightarow\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/bears\/garbage-management\/\">Garbage Management<\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/njfw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/black_rightarow.png\" alt=\"black_rightarow\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/bears\/pet-owners\/\">Pet Owners<\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/njfw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/black_rightarow.png\" alt=\"black_rightarow\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/bears\/feeding-birds\/\">Feeding Birds<\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/njfw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/black_rightarow.png\" alt=\"black_rightarow\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/bears\/beehives-crops-livestock\/\">Beehives \/ Crops \/ Livestock<\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/njfw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/black_rightarow.png\" alt=\"black_rightarow\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/bears\/compost-piles-gardens-fruit-trees\/\">Compost \/ Gardens \/ Fruit Trees<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column bear-resources is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Bear Basics<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"796\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/wp-content\/uploads\/njfw\/gettyimages-1051015418-10@1x.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7506\" srcset=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/njfw\/gettyimages-1051015418-10@1x.png 796w, https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/njfw\/gettyimages-1051015418-10@1x-300x151.png 300w, https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/njfw\/gettyimages-1051015418-10@1x-768x386.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 796px) 100vw, 796px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ul style=\"padding-top: 15px;padding-right: 25px;line-height: 26px\">\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/njfw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/black_rightarow.png\" alt=\"black_rightarow\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/bears\/history-of-black-bears-in-new-jersey\/\">Natural History<\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/njfw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/black_rightarow.png\" alt=\"black_rightarow\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/bears\/black-bear-biology-and-behavior\/\">Biology<\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/njfw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/black_rightarow.png\" alt=\"black_rightarow\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/bears\/black-bear-biology-and-behavior\/#behavior\">Behavior<\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/njfw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/black_rightarow.png\" alt=\"black_rightarow\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/bears\/black-bear-research-and-management\/\">Bear Research<\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/njfw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/black_rightarow.png\" alt=\"black_rightarow\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/bears\/black-bear-management\/\">Bear Management<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Other Resources<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"796\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/wp-content\/uploads\/njfw\/dsc-3194-10@1x.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7470\" srcset=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/njfw\/dsc-3194-10@1x.png 796w, https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/njfw\/dsc-3194-10@1x-300x151.png 300w, https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/njfw\/dsc-3194-10@1x-768x386.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 796px) 100vw, 796px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ul style=\"padding-top: 15px;padding-right: 25px;line-height: 26px\">\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/njfw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/black_rightarow.png\" alt=\"black_rightarow\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/bears\/publications-and-materials\/\">Publications &amp; Materials<\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/njfw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/black_rightarow.png\" alt=\"black_rightarow\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/bears\/black-bear-education-in-new-jersey\/\">Black Bear Education<\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/njfw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/black_rightarow.png\" alt=\"black_rightarow\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/bears\/bear-safety-video\/\">YouTube Bear Safety Video<\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/njfw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/black_rightarow.png\" alt=\"black_rightarow\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/bears\/bear-facts-for-kids\/\">Bear Facts for Kids<\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/njfw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/black_rightarow.png\" alt=\"black_rightarow\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/bears\/activity-reports\/\">Activity Reports<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>As black bears in New Jersey continue to adapt to living in closer proximity to people and human development, they learn to take advantage of human-derived food sources. Fish and Wildlife has been conducting an intensive public education and outreach campaign to teach residents, hikers, anglers and campers about how to safely coexist with black [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":6544,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-506","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/506","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=506"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/506\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":64807,"href":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/506\/revisions\/64807"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/6544"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/njfw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=506"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}