Bears Subject Of Special Avon Library Program Thursday

AVON, CT — No bears are expected at the Avon Free Public Library on Thursday, Aug. 28, but folks going there that evening will surely learn a lot about them.

That's because the library, located at 281 Country Club Road, Avon, is hosting a state wildlife expert who will talk about black bears in Connecticut.

The free program, which does require advance registration, will take place Thursday, Aug. 28, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Sponsored by the Friends of the Avon Library group, “Black Bears in Connecticut” will focus on the history of black bears in the state, an overview of black bear habitat, diet, behavior, reproduction, and current research efforts.

In recent years, Avon has had its fair share of bear reports, with bears crashing into homes and, even, crashing the town's Memorial Day parade in 2023.

It will also provide practical recommendations on how people can co-exist with the black bear population.

The presenter will be Paul Colburn, a 2015 graduate of the Connecticut Master Wildlife Conservationist Program (MWCP) and a certified Master Wildlife Conservationist (MWC).

"Paul is a dedicated advocate for wildlife and is passionate about sharing his knowledge with others," wrote the library in an announcement. "He is particularly focused on teaching the basics of living responsibly with wildlife."

He is a graduate of Wesleyan University and served in the U.S. Army.

For more information and to register for the program, click on this link.

From May 2, 2023: 'Bear Breaks Into Avon Home: Report'

From May 30, 2023: 'Bear Shows Up At Memorial Day Parade In Avon