This is a combination classroom and field course aimed at increasing understanding and appreciation for bears (especially grizzlies) in the greater Yellowstone ecosystem--their biology, their ecological role and interrelations with other species in the ecosystem (including humans), the long and evolving history of their management, and how to enhance observing them and safely recreating and living in bear country. The main objectives are to 1) provide opportunities (no guarantee, of course!) to see bears in the wild and learn about their habitat, sign, and tracks to enhance searching success; 2) discuss bear biology and management in the greater Yellowstone area over the past few decades; 3) learn about bear-human conflicts and behaviors to enhance the safety of both species; and 4) have fun!  The course typically begins in the evening with a general introduction to bear biology and history, and progresses in time and depth of information throughout the 2+-day course, ending with a detailed update on the status of the ecosystem's grizzly bear population and current issues in science and management. While there is a natural focus on Yellowstone National Park as central to the history and recovery of this population, this course aims to promote understanding and appreciation of bears throughout the ecosystem and for the issues that challenge both bears and humans now and in the future.

About the instructors

Sue Consolo-Murphy worked with the National Park Service for nearly 40-years and retired as the chief of science and resource management at Grand Teton National Park. During her career she contributed to restoration of swift fox in South Dakota’s badlands and recovery of grizzly bears and their habitat in Yellowstone, among other natural and cultural resource efforts.

Mark Haroldson has been involved in grizzly and black bear research and management since 1976, working for the University of Montana, Colorado Division of Wildlife, and Hornocker Wildlife Institute. He has worked for the Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem since 1984, where he is currently a USGS Supervisory Wildlife Biologist. He has authored or co-authored more than 50 peer-reviewed publications and 10 book chapters on a variety of topics related to grizzly bear ecology and population dynamics. His recent work has involved such diverse subjects as population estimation, energetics, nutrition, range expansion, bear-human interactions, and disease. Mark is also a member of the IUCN, Bear Specialist Group, North American Bear Expert Team.