Bear-safe tips offered to residents
Colorado Parks and Wildlife officials are cautioning residents that bear activity in towns and residential areas may be high this year.
People are advised to follow these tips to keep bears out of trouble and to reduce conflicts:
Obtain a bear-resistant trash can or Dumpster.
Clean garbage cans regularly.
Never intentionally feed bears or other wildlife.
Don’t leave pet food or feeding bowls outside.
Attract birds naturally to a yard or garden. For people who use bird feeders, suspend them high above the ground; clean up beneath them every day and bring them in at night.
Tightly secure any compost piles.
Clean up thoroughly after picnics in the yard or on the deck.
Pick fruit before it gets too ripe.
Build a secure enclosure around chickens or other small livestock, and bring the animals inside at night.
Keep the bottom-floor windows of the house and garage doors closed when not at home. Lock car doors.
When backcountry camping, hang food high in trees; at campgrounds, lock food and trash in vehicles.
For more information, visit http://wildlife.state.co.us/WildlifeSpecies/LivingWithWildlife/Pages/LivingWith.aspx.
Tours of Durango library garden offered
Docents from Durango Botanical Society will lead free tours of the Durango Public Library Demonstration Garden at 9:30 a.m. Fridays beginning May 31.
Tours will be offered through September. The garden is a Plant Select Demonstration Garden and is divided into seven mini-gardens that showcase the range of water-wise plants, trees and shrubs appropriate for the area. The garden is located between the library and the Animas River Trail. Participants will meet the docent in the library lobby. Tours will last approximately 45 minutes.
Tours may be made by appointment and scheduled for groups. Call Melanie Palmer at 769-3091 or email mj_palm22@hotmail.com.
Nature center to be open Saturdays
Durango Nature Center will be open to the public from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays from May 12 to Oct. 27.
The cost is $5 for nonmembers and free for members and children. The center offers hiking trails, river play, a picnic pavilion, junior naturalist badge, interpretive trail and workshops. No dogs are allowed.
For more information, visit www.durangonaturestudies.org.
Herald Staff
