McNeil River State Game Sanctuary, world famous for protecting the world’s largest concentration of wild brown bears within some 200 square miles of wildlife habitat, is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.
As part of that celebration, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, in conjunction with partners, has scheduled two Anchorage events.
Stephan Fine Arts is hosting a First Friday event today at the Hotel Captain Cook, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., with department biologists and volunteers from Friends of McNeil River on hand with information about the sanctuary and Alaska’s bears.
The Bear Tooth Theatre will host the second event, on May 11, at 7:30 p.m., a celebration highlighted with stories and talks by those who know the sanctuary best, including former legislator Clem Tillion, who in 1967 introduced legislation creating the sanctuary.
The McNeil River Sanctuary is open for bear viewing June 7 through Aug. 25, through a permit process.
For more information about permits and the sanctuary, log on to http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=mcneilriver.main
Information about Friends of McNeil River is online at http://mcneilbears.org/home/
