Texas Black Bear Alliance Annual Meeting
January 16 @ 10:00 pm - January 17 @ 3:00 am
Where like-minded people join to learn how to best advocate
for Black Bears on their journey back to Texas.
It certainly is an exciting time for the Texas Black Bear Alliance, and we want you to be part of it! This meeting is packed with timely information and features a distinguished lineup of experts, including state wildlife specialists, leading biologists, zoo directors, and conservation advocates. Whether you are a dedicated black bear advocate or a nature lover, you won’t want to miss these updates on sightings, management tools, and success stories. Take a peek at our full line up!
- Ryan Gulker, the new Director of Ellen Trout Zoo, will provide an official welcome to the meeting.
- An update of confirmed black bear sightings will be provided by Dana Karelus, State Mammal Specialist with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. She also works with Borderlands Research Institute’s efforts with black bears.
- A Wildlife Biologist for the past 14 years at both the federal and state level, Reuben Gay of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department will give an update on a recent bear sighting in East Texas (a highly anticipated report!)
- Our Grant Panelists will update us on recent grant activity – Pat Stephens-Williams, Forestry Professor, Stephen F. Austin State University; Ben Jones, Vice President of Conservation and Education, Houston Zoo; and Ellen Buchanan, TBBA Chair and President of the Big Thicket Natural Heritage Trust.
- Lunch Break with slideshow from our special guests Lori and Kenneth Hilscher. They have put together a slideshow of black bear photos from their home in Georgia.
- Rachael Connally, a wildlife biologist, will share how the Texas Lacy Dog breed can be used as a tool for black bear management in Texas. And she’s bringing her furry friends Jean and Juniper to shake your paw!
- And last but certainly not least, John Hanks, Louisiana’s leading Black Bear Biologist and the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Wildlife Biologist, will give us insight of Louisiana’s success in black bear management.
Want to Attend? Let us know by 1/12/26.
Here’s what to do if:
Attending In Person:
Attending Virtually:
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