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 The
Black Bear Conservation Committee (BBCC) has evolved to be
an independent and diverse coalition of landowners, state
and federal agencies, private conservation groups, forest
industry, agricultural interests, the academic community,
and concerned citizens working together to address
management and restoration of the Louisiana black bear. Our
coalition sincerely believes we need to look for creative
solutions in a constantly changing social and political
climate.
The BBCC strives to accomplish its mission through
partnerships among stakeholders, credible science-driven
management, cooperation, and a genuine commitment to the
goal of bear restoration. Our primary objective is the
reversal of those factors that have brought about the steady
decline of the Louisiana black bear. With a diversity of
interests working together to accomplish its mission, the
BBCC is recognized nationally as an effective,
solution-oriented organization. Our method of resolving
resource management issues by encouraging input from all
interested stakeholders serves as a model for other
conservation efforts. Priorities have been to put the
resource first, to find common ground, to build coalitions
while avoiding conflicts, to replace emotion with credible
science throughout the management process, and to have a
strong commitment to the achievement of the restoration
objective.
 The
BBCC continues to actively solicit input from all parties
that may be affected by a larger bear population and work
with them to resolve potential conflicts. This pro-active,
inclusive, and cooperative effort will increase the
probability of successful restoration of the Louisiana black
bear
Incorporating the human dimension into bear management is a
priority at a time when citizens normally feel left out of
the process. The objectives and attitudes of landowners,
land managers, and the general public will determine if a
healthy black bear population is considered a positive or
negative occurrence. The membership believes that a healthy
bear population can be an asset to the community and the
Louisiana black bear can coexist with other land use
objectives. Without public support, the goals of the BBCC
can never be achieved and the Louisiana black bear will
likely remain listed under the Endangered Species Act.
By working together, the BBCC has had a positive impact on
everybody involved and will, in the end, help restore a
truly unique and magnificent component of our wildlife
heritage. |
