As black bears become more visible in Vermont, the Fish and Wildlife Department wants people to help maintain a healthy bear population by not attracting the animals to their property.
A department technician will give a presentation called "Living with Vermont’s Black Bears" next weekend in Chester.
Vermont has more black bears now than it has had in many decades. Wildlife officials estimates there are about 6,000 black bears in the state.
Next weekend’s presentation is intended to teach people about Vermont’s bears and how to avoid conflicts with them.
The program will be hosted by the Chester Conservation Committee. It will be held at 2:00 Saturday afternoon at the Chester Congregational Church.
The program is free and open to the public.