WILDLIFE -- A presentation on safely living and recreating in bear country will be presented 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. at the Bonners Ferry Ranger Station, 6286 Main Street in Bonners Ferry.

"We held the same event in Sandpoint and had to turn folks away so we decided to do another event in Bonners," said Nancy Dooley of the Idaho Conservation League.

“Be Bear Aware,” features experts about grizzly bears, traveling safely in bear country and how to use bear spray as one tool in bear conflict avoidance.

• Pre-registration required; space is limited.
• To register and for more information visit: www.idahoconservation.org, or call (208) 265-9565.

The presentation and training will be conducted by Brian Johnson, grizzly bear information and education conservation officer with Idaho Fish and Game, and Lydia Allen, Idaho Panhandle National Forests wildlife program manager.

Topics covered will include, a brief history of grizzly bear population declines, grizzly bear ecology, grizzly bear versus black bear identification, general conflict avoidance techniques and food storage requirements on national forest lands.

The presentation will also include a discussion on the origins and use of bear spray, followed by an opportunity for participants to practice using an inert bear spray training canister.

Participants will be entered into a drawing to receive a free bear spray holster.

A minimum suggested donation of $5 is encouraged to help cover the cost of bear spray training canisters.