It’s impossible to live in Northeast Georgia without hearing about or having a personal encounter with a black bear. Our neighborhood has several who are spotted periodically and at times make their presence clearly seen.
What do you know about the bears in our woods? Are you Bear-Wise?
Black bears are intelligent and resourceful animals and are native to our North Georgia mountains. Gerald Hodge, Black bear enthusiast and advocate, will share his knowledge of the bears through the Sautee Nacoochee Cultural Center (SNCC).
In the conference on Saturday, June 11th, Hodge will speak for the bears to help North Georgia residents understand them and their behavior better. His goal is to help prevent human interactions with bears and to protect the bears from needless casualties. Hodge will provide information and then lead a time of discussion of individual concerns.
Hodges and his wife Connie started the Appalachia Georgia Friends of the Bears when they were asked “for help in reporting a Black Bear road-kill on Georgia Highway 515” near Cherry Log, Georgia. Standing by the dead body of a male Black Bear cub was heart-breaking to them both. Within 24 hours, they decided to begin a non-profit organization to “educate and advocate for the Black Bears in Appalachia Georgia.”
The Protecting Black Bears in Georgia conference will meet in the SNCC conference room from 1-2 p.m. on June 11. It is free and open to the public. Pre-event registration is required by June 8th by calling (706) 878-3300.
The Sautee Nacoochee Cultural Center is located at 283 Hwy 255 North in Sautee, Georgia.
SNCC contributed to this story.
