Press Room

For Immediate Release

October 30, 2007

Contact: Paula Bellemore, 487-3331 or PLC@PLC-nh.org

New Boston, NH:  PLC’s David Hardy Memorial Lecture Series announces an evening with Ben Kilhelm “Mother Bear Man”, November 17th 7:00pm at the Community Church of New Boston

The Piscataquog Watershed Association (PLC) will host an informative and entertaining presentation by Ben Kilham, local independent wildlife biologist and renowned expert on bear behavior Saturday, November 17th at 7:00pm at the Community Church of New Boston.

Kilham is considered one of the top experts on bear behavior in the country.  His work has been featured in 2 National Geographic specials, Discovery Channels “Papa Bear”, and in appearances on “Late Night with David Letterman” and NBC’s Dateline among others.

At his center in Lyme Kilham has rehabilitated dozens of orphaned bear cubs, successfully releasing them back into the wild under a special license issued by NH Fish & Game.   By watching bears interact with each other and their environment and even by wrestling with them to earn their trust, Kilham has gained a unique perspective on bear behavior, discovering that they are not as solitary as we may have thought.

While it’s well known that bears are intelligent creatures, discovering just how highly intelligent they are, and how they use that intelligence, is fascinating.  Kilham has watched a bear hide behind a tree watching an unsuspecting passerby; he’s watched a bear drag a half-rotted log into the water to be used as a float – and then remove and store it nearby to be used another day. 

A “gifted dyslexic” Kilham has an IQ in the top one percent but only a third grade reading level.  He struggled, but ultimately received his BS in Wildlife Biology from UNH in 1974, but was unable to pursue a graduate degree.  The lack of an advanced degree has not deterred him from pursuing his long-held dream of wildlife research.

This popular 1-hour presentation based on Kilham’s firsthand experience raising cubs and observing black bears in the wild is illustrated with his personal slides and peppered with extemporaneous commentary – even if you’ve heard him before, you’re sure to hear something new.  A 30-45 minute question and answer period will follow the lecture. 

Doors open at 6:30pm on Saturday, November 17th. Tickets are $7 per person with a family maximum of $28, $5.per person for PLC Members, with a family maximum of $20.00. 

PLC is a local, member supported land trust working to conserve the natural landscape in 11 Piscataquog Region communities. For more information call 487-3331.

Photo Courtesy:  www.benkilham.com

For Immediate Release

October 21, 2007

Contact: Paula Bellemore, Piscataquog Watershed Association 487-3331 or pbellemore@PLC-nh.org

Piscataquog Watershed Association announces additions to Board of Directors

New Boston, NH:  The Piscataquog Watershed Association (PLC) announces three new Board members elected at the Annual meeting held October 20th, 2007.

Sherry Heiber of Goffstown, Carol Hess of New Boston and Barbara Russell of New Boston will join current Board members Len Allen of Francestown, Diane Beland, John McCausland and Jerry Shinn of Weare, The Rt. Reverend Arthur Walmsley of Deering, Amy Doherty, Gail Parker and Mica Stark of New Boston.  The following slate of Officers was also elected: Board President, Jerry Shinn, Vice-President Mica Stark, Secretary Amy Doherty and Treasurer Gail Parker.  

The Piscataquog Watershed Association is a member supported local land trust working to conserve the natural landscape of 11 Piscataquog Region communities. For more information please call 487-3331 or email PLC@PLC-nh.org.