Who We Are
Roaring Fork Valley Bear Coalition, a 501(c)(3) proactive volunteer-based non-profit, is dedicated to reducing human-bear conflicts over a 50-mile corridor. Our citizen groups respond to community needs by reducing attractants, educating residents, and working alongside stakeholders: CPW, municipalities & trash-haulers to achieve common community goals, enforcement and actions that protect black bears.
Daniela Kohl — Founder
Daniela Kohl founded Roaring Fork Bears in 2019 after being a part-time resident for over 21 years. She grew up in the Swiss and French Alps, enjoying all the amenities of mountain life. It was in the Alps that she became enamored with beautiful Syrian brown bears, and her support for them grew over the years.
In 2014, Daniela became deeply involved in the successful rescue of a tiny grizzly bear cub from a roadside zoo in Florida. Afterwards, she began actively working with a Florida bear advocacy group, realizing the positive impact that raising awareness can have on reducing human-bear conflicts. Two years later, she joined the International Association for Bear Research and Management (IBA) and connected with bear biologists and researchers.
These experiences and connections played a major role in her decision to create a grassroots movement in the Roaring Fork Valley. As bear conflicts are on the rise, Roaring Fork Bears is consistently working on innovative ways to engage the public in finding solutions for peacefully coexisting with black bears.
Community
Roaring Fork Bears’ mission is to keep bears protected and people safe. Our work is facilitated by connections with local government agencies, endorsing proper enforcement, and finding effective waste management systems that work. By working with Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) and area municipalities on “Bear-Aware” programs, we are able to help members of the community learn how to peacefully coexist with our local bears. We provide educational Bear Aware and BearWise® materials in a Bear Care Kit, which includes bilingual door hangers, a BearWise® sports pack, a magnet, and a bear whistle. We also offer free straps to retrofit existing trash cans, which deter bears.
As an organization, we are committed to helping our community members learn more and set an example for everyone who lives or recreates in bear country.
Working with the next generation
Local scout, Nate Thomas, made bear advocacy the focus of his Eagle Scout project in 2019-2020, and today BSA Aspen Troop 201 and Girl Scouts Aspen Troop 15014 work in collaboration with Roaring Fork Bears. These young people help spread awareness at local farmers’ markets, make free straps to retrofit existing trash cans, build birdhouses to replace bird feeders attracting bears, and more.
Our TEAM
Lyn Bair
Lyn is a public educator and has been a teacher or principal long enough to teach children of her first students. She has been involved with Scouts, BSA serving in many positions from local units to national positions and is currently the Three Rivers District Chair. Lyn is a published author with books or articles in Art History, Religious Studies, and Education. She enjoys being with her family playing outdoors or giving back to her community.
Mike Bair
Scoutmaster Michael Bair has been instrumental in creating awareness in many aspects of Roaring Fork Bears. Michael is the 6th generation in the Roaring Fork Valley, a longtime outdoor enthusiast, and conservation-minded individual. His understanding and commitment to the valley are great assets to our bear group. Under Michael’s leadership, we have retrofitted hundreds of cans into bear-resistant ones for communities in mobile homes and residents in the Roaring Fork Valley.
Ylice Golden
Ylice Golden is our web developer. She is a trained fine artist with over 30 years of experience in graphic and web design. During her time at the Sopris Sun, she won nearly a dozen design awards from the Colorado Press Association. Ylice not only designed our website but also does research, writing, and editing for us.
If you would like to support our efforts, please donate to our cause today.
Send checks to P.O.Box 932, Carbondale, CO 81623.
Or call Daniela directly for more information.
Roaring Fork Bears is proud to support the Pauline S. Schneegas Wildlife Foundation.