Ballad of the Wild Bear offers important message

Can bears and people co-exist? That is the question explored in a new book written by a pair of Alaskans -- one who lives here year-round and another who comes here each summer -- and published by the Alaska Natural History Association.

In "Ballad of the Wild Bear" by Pat Chamberlin-Calamar and Sandy Kogl, readers follow the trail of two bears into town and learn how specific human behaviors affect their fate. They learn what can happen when people adopt new habits to keep bears wild and humans safe -- when campsites are clean, animals are safely tucked behind electric fences and garbage cans can't be pried open.

Ballad of the Wild Bear is based on actual events that occurred in Talkeetna during the summer of 2001, when garbage cans in the streets, dog food in the yards and bird feeders in the trees drew grizzly and black bears into Talkeetna. As the bears became accustomed to finding food in and around the town, many unwelcome encounters with people resulted. That year, six bears had to be shot.

Locals came together to find a solution. They founded the Bear Necessities Coalition, a grassroots effort to teach people how even small changes in their behavior can make a big difference.

Coalition members Chamberlin-Calamar and Kogl wrote the book, a ballad that was adapted from the old folk song, "The Fox." The 32-page book includes a 4-track CD with original music and a read-along for children. A companion teaching guide is also available.

Chamberlin-Calamar spends her summers in Alaska. She wanted to do something to help the Bear Necessities Coalition. This is her second book for children.

Sandy Kogl has spent much of her 40 years in Alaska in the company of bears, including the time she spent working as a park ranger at Denali National Park. She is a founding member of the coalition.

Illustrator Libby Hatton of Anchorage is an experienced hiker and outdoorswoman who also enjoys painting Alaska. As a pediatrician, Hatton has cared for many of Alaska's children for over 30 years.

The Bear Necessities Coalition brought the manuscript to the Alaska Natural History Association in late 2002, saying it evolved from the grassroots group's desire to reach young people and create a lasting message that encourages bear conservation. the association enthusiastically agreed to publish it.

"Bear awareness is an immediate problem for all Alaskans, in villages and small towns such as Talkeetna and also in Anchorage," said Association program manager Lisa Oakley. "The book and accompanying materials will be effective tools to help foster the goal of keeping bears wild and people safe."

The tools Oakley refers to include a companion teaching guide developed by Ellen Wolf, a retired teacher from Talkeetna. Intended to assist teachers in bringing bear awareness into their classrooms, elements from the guide appear in the association's Bear Education Summer, a program to bring bear education directly to children and adults being held during August.

Because of their commitment to keeping bears wild and people safe, the authors and the illustrator have generously contributed their work on the book. In return for the privilege of publishing the book, the Alaska Natural History Association has set aside a fund for the Bear Necessities Coalition's "Bear Aware" program.

Contact Jodi Snyder at 495-6857 or at jodi@alaska.net.