As published in the Canmore Leader, October 31, 2000

Quiz tests Web Surfers' grasp of the bear facts

'Cybernaturalist' promotes understanding on-line

If you believe a bear has been stalking you, what is the recommended course of action?

A. Run away
B. Fight Back
C. Play Dead
D. Give Up

Spring foods include plants such as glacier lily and many members of the pea family. At this time of year, the bears are very hungry and will seek out areas with plants in the appropriate stage of growth. Which stage is most nutritious for bears?

A. New leaves freshly sprouted
B. Flowers freshly blooming
C. Late flower stage
D. Seed Stage

These and other questions are part of a new interactive bear-awareness web-test created by Ward Cameron, a local naturalist, historian, author, photographer and storyteller. 

The questions are aimed at educating people on bear activities and habits. 

"There's so much literature focused on what to do when you see a bear, instead of what are the tools we need to minimize our chances of having an unwanted encounter with a bear," he said.

Cameron said the quiz may reveal gaps in people's knowledge. 

"I'm hoping it will help bring people to the site, and give them a reason to spend more time there," Cameron said.

The results of the quiz are being tracked, and may be turned over to Parks Canada or Alberta Environment so they can adapt their public education campaigns to perceived gaps in people's knowledge. 

About 220 people have taken the quiz since it was first posted about three weeks ago. Cameron said there are some questions most people get correct, and some that most people miss.

"A lot of people can't identify the buffaloberries," he said.

Cameron said this is an important question because buffaloberries attract bears in August, and hikers and bikers should be extremely familiar with the berry, so they can avoid places where it grows. 

The test is just part of Cameron's web site: www.MountainNature.com. The site also includes an on-line field guide that helps people identify various plants, animals and birds of the Rockies, and a sightings database. This week, a new section (www.MountainNature.com/beartips.htm) will be added to the site: a compilation of bear facts.

"It's a huge section on bear safety, trail reports, bear signs. For example: how to recognize droppings, diggings, territorial marking areas, bear sightings. It's been a good learning experience. and once people do the test, they can link to the bear tips for more information. 

Cameron has worked in the environmental field, as an author and guide, since the early 1980s. He has published two mountain bike guidebooks, and three trail guides. His latest work, A Natural History and Field Guide of the Canadian Rockies, is due out soon.

However, today the Internet has Opened up a whole new world for this environmental writer, whom the Calgary Herald called a "cybernaturalist." The whole site is Cameron's personal project, and is not a money generator for him, although he says that as a freelance naturalist and writer, the Internet is a valuable marketing tool.

"I find it exciting to allow the information to flow in both directions. I can build relationships with biologists and researchers, and have a family group that sees something interesting record that info on the database. It's about sharing the stories."

For answers to the above questions, log on to www.MountainNature.com and take the complete test.