The issue of
BLACK BEARS IN
WESTERN MARYLAND



 
 

by:  Betsy Evans
Westmar High School
whteacher@hotmail.com


 
INTRODUCTION
TASK
PROCESS
RESOURCES
EVALUATION
CONCLUSION

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

INTRODUCTION

The black bear population has been increasing in western Maryland for the last 20 years.


Since the early 1900's, the quality of Maryland's forest lands have been improving, following the end of decades of unregulated cutting of trees and destruction of habitat in western Maryland.  Improving habitat conditions throughout the tri-state region prompted bear relocation efforts by the state of Pennsylvania.  The success of this program, coupled with various bear management programs employed by West Virginia, helped generate a spillover of bears into Maryland during the 1970's and 1980's.  The improving habitat conditions in Western Maryland invited black bears back to an area they had historically occupied.  Public support of law enforcement efforts to thwart illegal hunting of black bears insured that black bears would succeed in their new habitat.  Likewise, there has been a corresponding increase in bear-human related incidents.  Education is the key to successfully coexisting with bears.  In this activity, you will investigate problems associated with the increasing bear population and methods utilized to control the size of the bear population.
 


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

TASK

In this activity, you will research the viewpoints of the different stakeholders involved with the proposed hunting season in western Maryland.   Once you have completed your investigation of the issues and views involved, you will compose an e-mail letter to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Secretary, Sarah Taylor-Rogers, detailing your stance and concerns on the issue.
 
 
 
 
 

Each letter must include:


 

Format for letter:



 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

PROCESS


In order to complete your letter to Maryland DNR Secretary, Sarah Taylor-Rogers, you should complete the "Organizing Your Ideas" worksheet by researching the provided links listed in the Resources section below.  On that sheet you will take notes regarding the history of the black bear in Maryland, the current methods used to control the black bear population problem, the viewpoints of stakeholders involved, as well as including notes on other information that may influence your decision.  Once the worksheet is complete, you should complete a rough draft of the letter following the format given above and outlined in the template link.  When this letter is complete, print two copies, one for yourself and the second for proofreading by a peer and your teacher.  After peer editing, you will make corrections and forward the letter to Mrs. Taylor-Rogers and your teacher.
 


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

RESOURCES

Using the list of links below, investigate the problems associated with the black bear in western Maryland.  Complete your "Ideas" sheet while you browse these pages.  Remember to take into consideration the viewpoints of each stakeholder involved with the issue.


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


 
 

EVALUATION

Letters will be graded upon the following criteria:


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


 
 

CONCLUSION