Watching Wildlife with Respect, Trust and Understanding

Watching Wildlife 101 training will change the way
you interact with bears...

So, why study bears as a naturalist?

Following the Commercial Bear Viewing Association Level 1 Bear Viewing curriculum is not just to become a Bear Viewing Guide. This training is IDEAL for anyone who spends their time in nature professionally or for enjoyment and adventure. 

Who wouldn’t like to spend more time viewing wildlife?  There is the right way and there is the wrong way.

The Watching Wildlife 101 training  is ‘ALL ABOUT THE BEARS’ and how to minimize your impact as a visitor with respect, trust and understanding. 

Bears, especially grizzly bears are recognized as an umbrella species, which means by learning about them, you indirectly learn about other species and ecosystems that grizzlies use for their daily, weekly and yearly requirements.

If we haven't met yet

My name is Daryl Dancer, the Bear Country Naturalist, not to be confused with Naturist. CBVA Level 3 Guide and Instructor. Bear Viewing is my profession. Grizzly bears are my passion.

Think of me as a bear (interpreter, translator, protocol officer) instructing humans on proper BEAR etiquette, because if you are still reading, I think you’re figuring out, IT’S ALL ABOUT THE BEARS!

Bears are intelligent, unique and tolerant individuals and when you treat them with respect and understanding that’s when the magic begins.

CBVA Level 1 student and wildlife photographer, Jo-Anne Oucharek,  experienced this magic on a recent photography trip to Alaska, “Taking the bear viewing course with Daryl, really opened my eyes to the behaviour of bears… I was blown away with how the trust between us and the bears happened.”

When you join the Watching Wildlife course you’ll receive…

* Over 30 hours of LIVE Interactive Group Coaching 
* In-person Field Session (optional)
* Invitations to Pre-Season Review Sessions
* Invitation to End of Season “Lessons Learned” Debrief Session
* Wildlife Viewing Resource Manual
* CBVA Bear Awareness and Wildlife Watching Certificate
* Invitation to Bears and Brew Monthly MasterClass
* Email support

If you are a nature lover, wildlife photographer, outdoor enthusiast, looking to learn more about bear behaviour and how to watch bears with respect trust and understanding. You are ready to participate in the Watching Wildlife training...

Your mission if you so choose to accept, in as little as 30 hours, is to step into this world class training so you can begin your journey into the secret lives of bears and wildlife. Click on the link below, so you can experience the magic of viewing bears and wildlife with respect, trust and understanding.

THE MAGIC IS ONLY ONE CLICK AWAY. See you on the other side.

 "Yes, I Want to Do This"

Here's what you'll get when you sign up 

* Over 30 hours of LIVE Interactive Group Coaching 
* In-person Field Session (optional)
* Invitations to Pre-Season Review Sessions
* Invitation to End of Season “Lessons Learned” Debrief Session
* Wildlife Viewing Resource Manual
* CBVA Watching Wildlife and Bear Awareness Certificate
* Invitation to Bears and Brew Monthly MasterClass
* Email support

The theory portion of this training is delivered through Live Interactive sessions using
Zoom.

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!
ONLINE CLASSES BEGIN JANUARY 2023.

Need More Information?

The Commercial Bear Viewing Level 1 curriculum is not only focused on bear viewing. This training is for anyone who spends their time in nature professionally or for enjoyment and adventure.  It's also great if bears visit your neighbourhood and backyard.

Who wouldn’t like to spend more time viewing wildlife?  Did you know there is the right way and the wrong way to do this? Watching bears or wildlife the wrong way does not bode well for you or the bear.

The Watching Wildlife 101 training  is IS ALL ABOUT MINIMIZING YOUR IMPACT as a visitor in bear country with respect, trust and understanding. 

On completion of this training you'll know:

• Bears are great communicators and will let you know if you can stay or if you should go. 
• Understanding bear behaviour is a transferable skill that can be applied to all wildlife you might have the privilege to encounter.
• How to move your group through the landscape in ways that will minimize the impact of your presence.
• The difference between a viewing opportunity or if it has become a potentially dangerous situation and how to respond.
• The bear-human emotional dynamics that can occur in an encounter and how to manage those emotions.
• How to interpret bear behaviour and how they use their surroundings to meet their daily, weekly and yearly requirements.

Take a look who has taken this training

Here  is a list of companies and individuals that completed this CBVA  Level 1 and Watching Wildlife 101 certification training.

• West Coast Adventure College
• North Island College
• Sea Kayaking Guides Alliance of BC
• Campbell River Whale Watching
• Homalco Culture & Wildlife Tours
• ‘Namgis BATI - Broughton Aquaculture Transition Initiative
• Coastal Spring Fishing Lodge
• Nimmo Bay Resort
• Grey Wolf Expeditions
• Wildlife photographers
• GrizzlyBear Advocates
• Nature Lovers
• Outdoor Enthusiasts
• International Guides
• Potential Bear Viewing Guides
• Professional and Recreational Kayakers

When you join the Watching Wildlife 101 course you’ll receive…

* Over 30 hours of LIVE Interactive Group Coaching 
* Face to Face Field Session (optional)
* Invitations to Pre-Season Review Sessions
* Invitation to End of Season “Lessons Learned” Debrief Session
* Wildlife Viewing Resource Manual
* Watching Wildlife and Bear Awareness Certificate
* Invitation to the monthly Bears and Brew MasterClasses and Q&A
* Email support

"This training opened my eyes to the behaviour of the bears, because I think that's what the training does for you, I'm a wildlife photographer, and that's kind of why I stepped into this training. I  thought the training that I had was absolutely incredible. And I feel very fortunate that it helped me not to impede what the bears were doing, because I watched other people in the area affect the bears behaviour."

Jo-Anne, Wildlife Photographer

When you register for the Watching Wildlife 101 training your investment to experience the magic of watching wildlife with respect, trust and understanding is…. $570  CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR Watching Wildlife 101.   

FAQ's

What if I can't make it to all the live session?

No worries, if you can't make a live session you will be able to replay the session you missed. 
Once you enrol in the CBVA Level 1 course you will have continuous access to all the training
material and any updates.

How much time do I need to set aside for the theory classes and the in-person field sessions?

The theory sessions will take place on Zoom with classes beginning at 9 AM until 2 PM over three days on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. The one day in-person field session is usually held on a Saturday or Sunday with everyone meeting at 9 AM with the day ending around 4ish PM.

Where will the in-person field sessions take place?

At the moment, field sessions will take place the last weekend of March in the Cumberland Community Forest and if there is enough interest there will be two field sessions the last weekend of April in Golden, BC.  

What if I can't make it to the in-person field sessions?

Sometimes life gets in the way and you are unable to attend the required field session. LET ME KNOW SO WE CAN MAKE OTHER ARRANGEMENTS. I'm here to help and make sure you get certified. So if your schedule is holding you back from taking the course. reach out and we will figure something out.

Are you ready?

It's time to step into the Watching Wildlife 101 training so you can minimize your impact on bears and other wildlife you might have the privilege to encounter.

Don't miss out this training with Daryl is offered only once a year. The next time this will be offered in 2024.

Reserve your seat today, so you can experience the magic of viewing bears with respect, trust and understanding. 

 "Yes, I Want to Do This"

STILL NOT SURE IF THIS IS RIGHT FOR YOU?

Drop me a line and we can jump on a quick call to answer your questions. Email me at daryladancer@gmail.com to book an information session.