Grizzly Bear – Ursus arctos horribilis
The grizzly is a subspecies of Brown bear found in Northwestern North America. A solitary animal requiring a large habitat, National Parks such as Glacier National Park in Montana and Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming can be ideal places to live. September 23, 2023, is National Public Lands Day, a day for volunteers to help restore and preserve public lands of all types and sizes – from iconic national parks and rivers to local urban green spaces and more! Click here for more information.
Does the grizzly look familiar? This bear may be a familiar sight to many St. Louis natives. For nearly 40 years, she stood watch from her rocky perch in the Arch Visitor Center lobby, greeting thousands of guests each year to the Museum of Westward Expansion at the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial. When renovations began to build a new museum at this National Park in 2015, the grizzly needed a new place to call home, and the Saint Louis Science Center was happy to offer one!
Although considered by many to be the most unpredictable and dangerous of bears, grizzlies usually avoid humans and will only attack when startled or to protect their food or cubs. Surprisingly, nearly 90% of a grizzly’s diet consists of plants! This is another reason why large naturally preserved habitats like National Parks are ideal places for grizzlies to live.
Aren’t you glad that we have preserved lands in the US to provide homes for not just grizzly bears, but all types of different animals? This is partly why the National Environmental Education Foundation organizes National Public Lands Day each year in partnership with the National Park Service. Hundreds of thousands of volunteers roll up their sleeves to help restore and preserve public lands of all types and sizes—from iconic national parks and rivers to local urban green spaces and everything in between. National Public Lands Day is special because it provides all lovers of the environment—old and new—an opportunity to show our appreciation for these unique places.
Established in 1994 and held annually on the fourth Saturday in September, National Public Lands Day is traditionally the nation’s largest single-day volunteer effort! It celebrates the connection between people and green spaces in their community, inspires environmental stewardship, and encourages use of open spaces for education, recreation, and health benefits. National Public Lands Day falls on September 23, 2023, so go out and help!
Not sure where locally you can help? The National Park Service manages over 409 areas, which together cover about 84 million acres of land. In Missouri alone there are 7 National Parks, 1 National Heritage Area, 4 National Trails, 36 National Historic Landmarks, and 16 National Natural Landmarks! Check out the NPS website to find one near you!
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