Rookery Bay’s “Living with Bears” Lunch & Learn Draws a Full House

Rookery Bay’s popular Lunch & Learn series continued its successful streak last week. The Environmental Learning Center auditorium was a full house for “Living with Bears in Southwest Florida.” This second program in the 2026 Birds, Bears and Bees series featured Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Bear Biologist Chris Boyce. He shared insights on Florida’s growing black bear population and how residents can safely coexist with this native species. 

Guests lined up early to enjoy a catered lunch from Carrabba’s before an engaging and practical presentation focused on life in bear country, which is also known as Collier County. Boyce explained bear biology and behavior, population trends and the history of bears in Florida, while emphasizing simple steps people can take to prevent conflicts. 

Among the most important messages: never feed or approach bears and remove attractants that draw them into neighborhoods. Securing garbage, bringing in pet food and bird feeders and eliminating food odors can make a huge difference. Boyce also demonstrated hazing techniques including making loud noises, waving arms to appear larger and using tools like whistles or bear spray when appropriate. This can all help reinforce bears’ natural fear of people. The takeaway was clear: enjoy bears from a distance and help keep them wild. 

More events can be found online at https://rookerybay.org/events/,