Displays at the Kenai Peninsula Home Show were designed to help homeowners avoid problems with bears

Kenai National Wildlife Refuge participated in an outreach effort with the Kenai Brown Bear Committee at the Kenai Peninsula Home Show held at the Soldotna Sports Center.  The annual spring event attracts local residents interested in everything from hot tubs to garden supplies, but an increasing issue with local homeowners is addressing problems with bears.  The booth included information on avoiding bear encounters by proper handling of garbage, compost, pet food, bird seed, fish waste, and livestock.  A bear-resistant garbage can was given away as a door prize.  Approximately 4,000 people visited the booth during the two-day event.  The Refuge participates with over a dozen other entities to form the Kenai Brown Bear Committee, a partnership designed to help keep neighborhoods safe and bears wild.