Bitterroot Bear Resource Committee PROJECT BRIEF

Providing tools to reduce attractants is a simple but powerful way to prevent conflicts before they start. Unsecured garbage and fruit trees account for 70% of bear conflict in the Bitterroot Valley. With a $2,000 grant from Vital Ground, the Bitterroot Bear Resource Committee purchased a community cider press to encourage residents to collect and use backyard apples rather than leave them accessible to bears. Community apple pressing events create opportunities to spark conversations about living responsibly in bear country while reducing a common food attractant. Matching support from Defenders of Wildlife funded a second press, and Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks provided a trailer to transport the equipment to events.

Although timing delays prevented use of the presses during the 2025 apple season, the program is now fully equipped for future events in the Bitterroot Valley. Beginning in 2026, a new paid coordinator will help expand outreach efforts, organize cider pressing events and increase community engagement. Together, these investments position the partnership to grow bear-aware programming and proactively reduce human-bear conflicts in the years ahead.