Wildlife Awareness (Includes Bear Awareness)

Course Overview:

Wildlife Awareness, is an Entry-Level Core Training course useful for anyone who may be working in a remote area with a high risk of encountering wildlife. It is also available at the "Become an Instructor" level. 

Learning Objectives & Specific Outcomes:

Workers in remote locations are presented with various hazards specific to their environment including wild animals (i.e. bears), poor access to rescue, and poisonous insects or plants. Wilderness Awareness teaches workers a better approach to safely interacting with wildlife and techniques to managing risks unique to their remote working environment.

Topics Include:

With an emphasis on co-existing safely with wildlife, Wilderness Awareness educates participants on the regulations concerning regional wildlife and the risks of living and working in the wilderness. Demonstrating how preparedness is the best way to handle wildlife, this course outlines proper food and garbage storage to disincentivize wildlife encounters. Participants learn how to differentiate between types of bears and pick up on specific bear behaviors, such as discerning a defensive attack from a non-defensive attack, and reacting appropriately (i.e. when to play dead vs. when to make loud noises). Participants also learn emergency response procedures following a bear attack. Other carnivores and large herbivores (including moose, wolves, and cougars) are discussed as well. Lastly, topics such as dangerous plants, insects and other wilderness risks (dehydration, hypothermia and heatstroke) are covered, to ensure learner's preparedness for various wilderness scenarios.