In 2016 there were 51 black bear sightings in Guilford reported to the Connecticut Department of Energy and the Environment.

On Wednesday, February 1, 2016, Guilford residents will learn how to live with those big, lumbering, hungry and (sometimes) scary creatures at Bears in the Backyard, the second in the speaker series Living with Wildlife sponsored by the Guilford Conservation Commission and the Guilford Free Library.

Bears in the Backyard will take place on Wednesday, February 1, 2017 at 7 pm at Guilford Free Library 67 Park Street, Guilford CT.

Peter Rego, a wildlife biologist with the Connecticut Dept. of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) has been studying furbearing mammals and bears for more than 20 years.

Bear habits, reproduction, winter denning and social organizations will be discussed. The correct strategies for dealing with bears in the yard so that Guilford residents stay safe will also be outlined.

“This is a valuable program for anyone looking for information on how best to respond to the growing bear population in Guilford ,” says Laura Collins, Chair, Guilford Conservation Commission.