The Bear Facts

Valentine Reserve Hosts DSES’s First Event of the 2005 Summer Program!

The group at Valentine Reserve
Click on the picture for a larger view

On July 13th, DSES ventured out of Main Lodge and Mammoth Mountain Ski Area for its first summer event in history! Kathy Copeland, Robin Conners, and Dave Owings met with 5 Volunteers and 4 students to take a hike around Valentine Reserve’s 150 acres of protected natural habitat and learn about the California Black Bear from host Leslie Dawson.

For two hours, DSES, the students and three parents walked around, inspecting the flora and fauna, and even saw physical evidence of bears living in the area. Leslie, along with DSES’s own very special student Jeffrey Mikalowsky were able to show the rest of the group some trees that had been scratched by bears, in order to mark their territory.

Exploring the trails with Leslie Dawson

It was an incredible time, full of education and excitement as we strolled through the woods, on the lookout for the great bears, which might have been sleeping high up in the trees as the group was underfoot! At the close, Leslie opened up the floor to questions and comments.

Dave and Joseph as bears

“What a great way to start out our summer program; this couldn’t have been more perfect!” Kathy, the Executive Director said. Robin Conners, Program Development Coordinator, took great photos of the event, which testify to the wonderful time had by all.

Looking at a bear skull with Leslie Dawson

To join up for DSES’s next adventure, please call the office to make a reservation. “Come on out and enjoy the fun,” said Dave Owings, Program Manager, “This program is going on so that we don’t see our student’s awesome smiles only in the winter time!”