Bear Trust began the Adopt-a-Dumpster Program to address the serious issue of bear-human conflicts that arise when bears are habituated to trash. The installation of wildlife-resistant containers is a common-sense solution.
The Adopt-a-Dumpster Program recognizes that rural communities and public land agencies frequently do not have the financial resources to purchase and install wildlife-resistant containers, even when nuisance incidents are significant and ongoing. Therefore, Bear Trust seeks to recruit sponsors from the private sector to pay for the purchase and installation of wildlife-resistant dumpsters in areas where wildlife, such as bears, are prone to take advantage of accumulated garbage—usually to their detriment.
In 2007, Bear Trust implemented the first phase of the Adopt-a-Dumpster Program by installing wildlife-resistant containers in the Clam Lake area in Wisconsin. Bear Trust is expanding the Adopt-a-Dumpster Program into a national endeavor and broadening its scope by incorporating both education and research components.
During 2008, Bear Trust implemented two new Adopt-a-Dumpster Programs in Virginia and New Jersey where bear nuisance incidents were dangerous and on the rise. In Virginia, we partnered with two government agencies, the local college, and community volunteers to incorporate an education component into the Adopt-a-Dumpster Program.
In New Jersey, we partnered with the state wildlife agency and East Stroudsburg University to measure the outcome of installing wildlife-resistant containers. For the New Jersey project, we are also using some of the data we collect from motion-sensitive cameras to teach children about science, math, and conservation.
During early 2009, Bear Trust began developing a new Adopt-a-Dumpster Program in western Montana. This highly collaborative project will include habitat conservation, wild bear research, and education opportunities for children.
In 2010, Bear Trust began a new Adopt-a-Dumpster Program in Bath County, Virginia.
THE NEED FOR WILDLIFE-RESISTANT DUMPSTERS
Bears and other scavenging wildlife can become quickly and tragically habituated to trash left by humans. "A fed bear is a dead bear" is an accurate slogan for any situation where bears have access to trash. The installation of wildlife-resistant dumpsters in campgrounds, at trail heads, in bear-habituated communities, and at other strategic places helps to protect both wildlife and people.
To become a sponsor of the
Adopt-a-Dumpster Program