Ivy Talks: Virginia Bears:  Forest, Field and Front Porch

David Kocka

David Kocka, District Wildlife Biologist with the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, will share his expertise in managing our local bear population.  He will teach us about our local bear population, their habits and behaviors, share humorous and sober accounts of interactions with bears, and offer suggestions about how to live with bears in our midst. Free. Come early to the Education Building as seating is limited.

Native Virginian David Kocka has worked as a wildlife biologist for over 30 years and is currently responsible for the implementation of wildlife habitat and populations over six counties in northwestern Virginia. He has been on technical committees in the development and subsequent revisions of Virginia's first Black Bear and Deer Management Plans and worked cooperatively with federal agencies and local governments on trying to minimize wildlife/human interactions in both private and public settings.  The author of Bear With Me, my Deer, an account of his adventures while working with the agency.