“The American Black Bear in North Carolina” Next Topic of “Church Chats” at Mills River Presbyterian Church

MILLS RIVER, N.C. – On Tuesday, October 18, 2022, Mills River Presbyterian Church will present another “Church Chat” at 7pm. The topic will be “The American Black Bear in North Carolina,” led by Pam Torlina, Southeast Stewardship Manager for Conserving Carolina. The session is free and open to the public.

Torlina’s presentation will focus on the struggles and successes of the American Black Bear population in North Carolina, and she’ll share details about the bear’s unique anatomy and adaptations.

“There’s so much to know and learn about the American Black Bear,” says Torlina. “I’ll provide information about their diet and reproduction, as well as how to identify tracks and signs in the wild. We’re seeing bear more frequently in our lives and communities. This will be an excellent opportunity to gain a better understanding about this magnificent mammal and how to safely co-exist with them.”

Torlina has been with Conserving Carolina (formerly Pacolet Area Conservancy) for 16 years. She has more than 25 years of experience as a field biologist, naturalist, and outdoor educator. During her career she has worked with the South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism, the City of Greenville Parks and Recreation – Youth Bureau, the New York State Office of Parks and Recreation and Historic Preservation, and Haliburton Forest and Wild Life Reserve in Canada.

Founded in 2017, Conserving Carolina works to “protect, restore and inspire appreciation of the natural world.” The organization is creating new parks, trails and greenways while restoring woods, meadows and wetlands. In addition, it’s protecting mountains, foothills, rivers and farms — more than 47,000 acres so far.

Chatting About Bears

The presentation by Torlina is the fifth “Church Chat” this year hosted by Mills River Presbyterian Church. Each session is held in the Fellowship Hall for about one hour and is open to the public. The series has been added to provide stimulating conversations of interest for church and community members. Torlina previously hosted a session on owls for a Church Chat.

“We’ve had strong church and local resident attendance at the Church Chats in 2022,” according to Jeannie Hardin with Mills River Presbyterian Church. “We’re pleased to make these educational sessions available to everyone. Pam’s previous conversation on ‘Owls of the Carolinas’ was a huge hit. We’re excited that she’ll now share her knowledge with us on American Black Bears!”

Mills River Presbyterian Church is located at 10 Presbyterian Church Road in Mills River off School House Road and accessible from Haywood Road or Highway 280. For more information, call 828-891-7101 or visit www.millsriverpresbyterian.org.