Site Directory

Test your Bear Knowledge before you head out!

Do you know enough about bears to ensure a safe hike or mountain bike ride? Most trail users believe they do, but at the same time, few can identify the food plants most commonly sought by bears. MountainNature.com lets you test your knowledge before you go out. How much do you really know?

The year 2000 will go down in history as one of the worst years in recent memory for grizzly attacks. Ward Cameron, cybernaturalist and founder of MountainNature.com, believes that many attacks can be avoided with a little more knowledge. “Time and again the news media has been filled with stories of bear attacks occurring along trails lined with buffaloberries. These red berries are the single most critical food for black and grizzly bears in late summer, and this summer was the best berry season in a decade. Now, on MountainNature.com you can test yourself to see if your knowledge of Master Bruin is up to snuff. This self-test is designed to stimulate thought and discussion. If it accomplishes one thing, I hope it will increase awareness of the seasonal movements of bears as they search for foods that change throughout the year. The best way to avoid encounters with bears is to know when to expect them.”

Recent Press Coverage  (Audio Files in Real Audio Format)

	Listen to a CBC Radio Interview with Ward about this exciting test.
	Read a Review in the Calgary Herald from Oct. 21, 2000
	Read a Review in the Canmore Leader from Oct. 31, 2000

Visitors to www.MountainNature.com can:

• Test your bear knowledge using our exclusive self-test

• Learn 10 secrets to becoming an expert naturalist

• Learn to identify the many plants, animals and birds of the Rockies

• Search for recent sightings to focus your quest for a new species

• Record your observations so that participating scientists can use your research to help protect the Canadian Rockies.

Ward has been a professional naturalist, guide and storyteller for almost two decades. He has written four books on western Canada and thrilled visitors to the Rockies with his expertise, wit and wealth of knowledge. As a naturalist, outdoorsman and adventurer, Ward has more than a few experiences that your audience would love to hear about – bears in the backcountry, wolverines by mountain bike, eagles at close range and, yes, the infamous marten in the igloo. It’s all about sharing the wealth.