Conservation Northwest PROJECT BRIEF

In Washington’s North Cascades, restoring grizzly bears to their historic range depends on strong public awareness and conflict prevention. In 2025, support from Vital Ground helped Conservation Northwest expand its North Cascades Grizzly Bear Recovery outreach and education efforts. Through digital campaigns, in-person events and trailhead engagement, the program reached more than 85,000 backcountry users and connected directly with 1,000 residents living within the recovery zone, sharing practical guidance for living and recreating safely in bear country.

The project included eight bear-aware events, 59 days of weekend trailhead outreach and the distribution of 5,000 bear-safety materials, along with a podcast focused on responsible recreation. Conservation Northwest’s Wildlife Ambassador Program also placed trained staff and volunteers at popular campgrounds and trailheads, logging more than 14,000 visitor interactions. At Middle Fork Campground, these efforts contributed to three consecutive seasons without human-wildlife conflict, demonstrating how proactive education and infrastructure can help people and grizzly bears share the landscape safely.