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 which is both immediate and permanent.
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 seeks to expand the Adopt-a-Dumpster Program into a national endeavor and to broaden its scope by incorporating both education and research components.
During 2008-2009, Bear Trust is implementing the Adopt-a-Dumpster Program in both Virginia and New Jersey where bear nuisance incidents are dangerous and on the rise. In Virginia, we have 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 have partnered with the state wildlife agency to conduct a research project to measure the efficacy of wildlife-resistant containers.
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.
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. Wildlife-resistant dumpsters have demonstrated their value as one of the most efficient and long-term solutions to nuisance incidents by discouraging wildlife from becoming habituated to food and other items discarded by humans. The installation of wildlife-resistant dumpsters in campgrounds, at trail heads, and in other strategic places protects both wildlife and people.
To become a sponsor of the
Adopt-a-Dumpster Program