SHANDAKEN — The Shandaken Conservation Advisory Council is inviting the public to learn the fundamentals of coexisting with local wildlife during an upcoming presentation at Town Hall.

The event, titled "Help Shandaken Become a BearWise Community," is scheduled for Monday, March 16, at 6:30 p.m.

John Milo, a wildlife biologist with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s Division of Fish and Wildlife, will lead the discussion. The presentation aims to educate residents and business owners on responsible practices for living and recreating in black bear habitat.

BearWise is a national program that provides outdoor enthusiasts and homeowners with science-based resources to prevent bear-human conflicts. These practices often include securing trash, removing bird feeders during active seasons, and keeping outdoor grills clean.

The initiative seeks to foster community-wide participation to ensure that bears do not become habituated to human food sources, which can lead to property damage or safety concerns for both humans and animals.