Today, March 3rd 2014, happens to be the inaugural “World Wildlife Day” as decided by the UN as a way to celebrate the great animal and plant species of our planet.

I’ve seen many exotic and endangered animals on my travels, so this black bear may not seem so exciting to some people who may prefer a picture of a polar bear or sloth bear. But I wanted to keep it close to home for this World Wildlife Day, as a way to remind everyone that there is great wildlife in your backyard, virtually wherever you live.

I’ve been lucky to spot black bears on many occasions in parks in Ontario and Quebec, Canada as well as parts of the US, including Yellowstone National Park. Unlike some other bear species the American Black Bear (Ursus americanus) is not listed as endangered, threatened or vulnerable. It is widespread and has a healthy population.

But, with that said it is also an animal that few of my friends or family members have ever seen in the wild. As with far too many things, wildlife often pays the price with an out-of-sight, out-of-mind approach. Too often, action and conservation don’t take place until someone sees a tiger or panda bear blazened on a logo and heralded as in dire trouble in magazines and on TV.

My solution is simple. Go out and visit your national parks, state parks, provincial parks and wildlife refuges. Take a vacation at a marine reserve or go camping in your local conservation area. Spend some money in these places, so that animals such as the Black Bear can maintain their healthy, stable status in the wild.

Here at home, in the great expanses of Ontario, cutbacks have closed a number of provincial parks because attendance numbers have been low and didn’t justify the cost of maintenance and staffing. If the trend continues towards fewer parks, the remaining ones will all be more crowded, causing more stress and strain on the natural environment, including wildlife.

My best Black Bear encounters have all been at smaller, less-used parks. They’re further north, perhaps a 7-10 hour drive from most major cities, but they’re all worth it – places like Wakami Lake and Lake Superior Provincial Parks in Ontario. Some other provinces in Canada face similar issues and strains on their park systems, so wherever you may live – consider a visit to a less popular park destination.

Sure, I’ve also seen Black Bears walking around campsites in search of food at busy Ontario Parks likely Killarney Provincial Park, but we all know that isn’t natural behaviour, and can only lead to problems down the road.

So next time you take a family road trip or camping adventure, try somewhere new, venture a little further and help keep more of Canada a safe, protected and wild place. Happy World Wildlife Day!