BearWatch Founder Gets Citizen Award

By Lee Ross

Mountain View Telegraph

 

"You can't have it all your way. You've got to make compromises here and there ... That doesn't mean that we haven't stood our ground," said Hayes, referring to Sandia Mountain BearWatch, a bear awareness and wildlife preservation group she founded 13 years ago.

Hayes, an East Mountains resident, received an award July 10 in Flagstaff, Ariz., as Outstanding Citizen Wildlife Contributor of the Year for 2007.

The award is given by the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. The association represents 23 states and Canadian provinces and 3.7 million square miles, according to association literature.

"It was a wonderful honor, and especially that I was recommended by the New Mexico Game and Fish people, that made it even more special," Hayes said.

The recommendation was well deserved, however, according to Brian Gleadle of New Mexico Game and Fish.

"Hayes and her organization have shown that they are really a citizens' group ... they work towards a common solution," he said.

Hayes works to educate homeowners about avoiding conflicts with bears, has worked with bear hunters on bear management issues and even worked to get bear-proof trash containers installed in the Sandia Mountains.

The trash containers address a serious issue. When a bear finds discarded food in trash cans at campgrounds, picnic areas or homes, the animal will likely return.

Hayes saw that something as simple as new trash receptacles would help to curb a dangerous situation for both bears and humans.

To that end, Hayes and BearWatch helped secure funding and worked to establish areas that should have the containers. She also convinced a local hardware story to carry bear-proof trash containers for residents to buy.

According to Gleadle, that is the kind of effort that won Hayes the nomination.

"Hayes is someone who goes above and beyond ... to help people understand the need for such an easy fix to such a long ongoing issue," Gleadle said.