Woodstock’s Town Board is one step closer to voting on a proposal to protect both bears and humans after a public hearing Sept. 23. While there were only a few comments offered during the hearing, they were in support of the ordinance that would minimize dangerous contact by reducing bears’ access to human food sources.

The proposal was developed by the Woodstock Bear Task Force, whose members sought expert help from the state’s Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). J.T. Russell from DEC provided task force members with model legislation from other municipalities in the country along with guidance about DEC’s work to reduce harmful interactions between bears and humans.

The proposal, which is on the town’s website here, is now ready for a vote by the Town Board. The vote could come as early as Oct. 14, which is the next Town Board meeting.

WLC staff member Keisha Hoerrner is part of the Woodstock Bear Task Force, which is chaired by Town Board member Anula Courtis. Community members Rachel Jackson and Iris Permenter are members as well as Town of Woodstock staff member Melanie Marino.

Even before the proposal receives a vote, we encourage all Woodstock residents to help protect the bears by following the DEC’s BearWise checklist.