THE ASHLAND HIGH SCHOOL BLACK BEAR PROJECT

In 1991, a student found a bear den in the Ashland area and told his high school biology teacher, Bruce Prentice, about the den. Mr. Prentice knew that Ray Anderson was doing bear research through UWSP, so he contacted Dr. Anderson and became involved in the research. In 1995, Mr. Prentice decided to include the students in the research.  He wanted to give them the opportunity to advance their learning and open their minds.

The students are involved in many phases of the research with the exception of immobilizing the bears. The students collect data, help track the radio-collared bears and participate in the den visits. The Ashland students are doing parallel research to that of the UWSP graduate students. They compare bear activities in suburban areas (the Ashland community) to that of bears in the national forest areas. They are also looking at the effect of human encroachment on bear habitat.

The students present their information to the public in open presentations. They also make recommendations to the DNR and public officials pertaining to land use, bear/human coexistence, and habitat use.

Mr. Prentice focuses on teaching the students how to conduct accurate, useful research. He also wants to make them aware of their surroundings and of the wide variety of wildlife in the area.  The research does not pertain only to bears.  The students look at how bears coexist with other species in their environment and adapt to the changing surroundings.

The Ashland bear project is similar to an extra-curricular activity.  The students work 3 to 4 days a week after school.  The research is all done in and around the Ashland area but they sometimes assist in the Clam Lake and Hansen forest areas.  They are permitted to track and tag up to 7 bears. 
 

  

Ashland High School is a partner in the Wisconsin Black Bear Research project. Students and staff at Ashland work cooperatively with UWSP to share data gathered on the bears in their area. UWSP would like to thank Bruce Prentice and the students for their valuable work on this project.

 

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These pages are maintained by Peggy Farrell
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