About Us
We are a local, volunteer-run, non-profit organization created to honor the memory of White 34, the Sierra Madre black bear who was relocated out of her territory only to be tragically hit and killed by a vehicle on the 210 freeway on September 28, 2023.
Our Story
We are a community of locals leading a grassroots effort to educate and implement best practices to keep people safe and bears wild. Relocating bears results in death 90-100% of the time. It can also be disruptive and dangerous for the receiving location.
The term euthanasia should never be used as a synonym for kill. A healthy bear being killed is not euthanasia. Killing a "nuisance bear" is not euthanasia. Merriam-Webster dictionary defines euthanasia as, "the act or practice of killing or permitting death of hopelessly sick or injured persons or animals with as little pain as possible for reasons of mercy, also called mercy killing." To combat the unnecessary, tragic deaths of our bears, we need to utilize safe, humane, non-lethal tactics.
Meet the Team
Michelle Tremblay: President
Being raised in Canada and living in Southern California for over 40 years has provided me with an abundance of up-close and unforgettable wildlife experiences. I've learned that nature is not only the greatest teacher, but the greatest healer. My career as a nurse was dedicated to education, safety, and the health and welfare of others. Now that I'm retired, I'm transferring my passion for advocacy to our local community. It is a privilege to live in Sierra Madre, and I'm committed to leading our grassroots efforts to educate and implement evidence-based practices in order to secure a safe foothill community for both people and bears.
Suzi Lohr: Director
I’ve always dreamt of living in the Canyon like generations of my family before me. My dream came true in 2001, and I can’t imagine living anywhere else. Part of the Canyon’s charm is the wildlife. There weren’t many bear sightings when I first moved here, but they have steadily increased as the years go by. I became concerned for the safety of my neighbors, their pets, and, of course, the bears. My heart breaks every time a bear is killed, and I knew I wanted to do what I could to keep that from happening. When I heard about Bear Lovers of Sierra Madre’s mission, I knew I wanted to be a part of keeping people safe and bears wild.
Annie Graf: Director
Nature is so healing. After 10 years living in Lake Tahoe I had to move back to Southern California in 1996, I never imagined I would find this canyon oasis. I have lived in the Upper Canyon Marlborough Terrace neighborhood for 30 years. I have a passion for the environment, conservation and believe in coexisting with all wildlife. Recently retired after 25 plus years from an executive level management position in a local foothill City I offer my passion for these causes and the understanding of working with local government to help in any way I can! It is a dream to be able to support the effort to coexist safely and humanely with bears and all the canyon critters.
Jim Foster: Secretary
Jim has lived in Sierra Madre all of his life. According to Jim, "when we move into the foothills, we move into nature's territory and we need to share this precious place with them."